When it comes to large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, permitting can sometimes look like a game of Whack-a-Mole, where efforts to conclude the process are continually frustrated by issues that appear (and then sometimes reappear again and again), encompassing everything from environmental reviews and the vagaries of different federal agencies to legal challenges and public (and political) opposition. But if the difficulties in building a new pipeline, transmission line, or solar farm seem immense, they pale in comparison to what developers of mining projects can face. In today’s RBN blog, we look at why mining projects take so long to develop, the unique challenges of the permitting process, and some ways that it might be improved.
As we outlined in Part 1 of this series, permitting for large-scale infrastructure projects can be a complicated, drawn-out process that is often easier said than done. The permitting process can drag on for years — such as with Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), the poster child for today’s permitting challenges — and prevent some from ever becoming a reality. As an example of how long the process can take, we looked in Part 2 at the TransWest Express Transmission Project, which will move 3,000 megawatts (MW) of Wyoming’s wind-generated electricity to utilities in more densely populated regions of the Desert Southwest. Even though it’s a straightforward idea, the project didn’t receive final federal approval until April — 18 years after it was first proposed — and serves as a prime example of how long the permitting process can take. New transmission lines are critically important for the development of wind- and solar-powered generation, which are increasingly running into more permitting issues at the local level as they grow in scale and move closer to populated areas, a topic we discussed in Part 3.
Canadian crude output is rising, requiring new export routes. As traditional pathways face constraints, the U.S. Rockies—especially the Guernsey, WY hub—are emerging as key corridors for moving Canadian heavy crude to downstream markets, including the Gulf Coast.
If the challenges of building new infrastructure seem significant, mining developments can be a whole other story. There are various permits, approvals and consultations required in any mining project — which can vary by the type of activity and location — and developers have to work with any number of federal, state and local agencies, plus tribal authorities in some instances. On top of all that, mining projects have also faced increasing political headwinds in recent years. (More on that in a bit.) In a nutshell, nearly every hurdle faced by an energy-related project is one that a mining development might have to clear at some point in the process.
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About the song
“Don’t Pass Me By” was written by Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) and appears as the sixth song on The Beatles’ ninth studio album, The Beatles (White Album). Starr wrote the song shortly after he joined The Beatles in August 1962. He said it was the first song he wrote, “while sitting round at home, fiddling with the piano.” He wrote two songs for The Beatles, “Don’t Pass Me By” and “Octopus’s Garden,” and co-wrote “What Goes On” and “Flying.” Keith Richards once commented to Paul McCartney that the difference between their groups was that The Stones had one front man, while The Beatles had four. “Don’t Pass Me By” was recorded during June and July 1968 at Abbey Road in London. It was released as a single in Scandinavia in April 1969 and went to #1 in Denmark. Personnel on the record were: Ringo Starr (vocals, drums, percussion, tack piano), Paul McCartney (grand piano, bass), and Jack Fallon (fiddle). Both pianos on the song were recorded into a Leslie 147 speaker.
The Beatles (White Album) was recorded between May and October 1968 at Abbey Road and Trident in London with George Martin producing. Nineteen of the LP’s 30 songs were written during March-April 1968 at a Transcendental Meditation retreat that the band attended in Rishikesh, India. The double album was released in November 1968 and went to #7 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. It has been certified 24x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The original release of the album had The Beatles name embossed on the front cover and were numbered. No singles were released from the LP but “Hey Jude” backed with “Revolution” originated from the same sessions and were issued as a single in August 1968. It went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and has been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool, England, in 1960. The band, with members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, went on to change pop culture and are considered by many to be the most influential band of all time. They have released 21 studio albums, six live albums, 36 EPs, 54 compilation albums, and 63 singles. All of the band are Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and have received one Academy Award, Seven Grammy Awards, and 15 Ivor Novello Awards. They are the best-selling band in history, having sold more than 600 million records worldwide. All band members went on to successful solo careers after the breakup of The Beatles in 1970. John Lennon was assassinated in December 1980, George Harrison died in November 2001. Both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr continue to record and tour as solo artists.
