by Kevin Ganster

Ahead of the Chamber’s release today of a groundbreaking new study on the economic impact of stalled or cancelled energy projects nationwide, USA Today’s website is running an editorial by U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue on the issue.

Donohue notes in his column that red tape is preventing American businesses from creating nearly 2 million new green energy jobs and generating more than a trillion dollars in economic output. Here’s a big part of the problem:

Some environmental activists and their allies — who should be the strongest "green" energy supporters of all — are using every resource at their disposal to block, delay, or cancel clean energy projects. They have organized local opposition, changed zoning laws, opposed permits, filed lawsuits, and bled projects dry of their financing. Call it "green tape" bureaucracy. Their efforts are undermining job creation and slowing the adoption of environmentally friendly energy technologies. They want the benefits of clean energy only if it doesn't inconvenience anyone in any way.

As Donohue notes, the simple truth is that it takes too long to build almost anything in our country today — even clean, green, and renewable energy resources that create jobs, enhance our energy security, and improve our environment.

It's time for change.