Power companies are reluctant to even begin the permitting process. It can take years and millions of dollars to find out the answer is no.
Governor Schwarzenegger can't eliminate those obstacles; only the legislature can do that. I imagine he can make some political appointments to the various regulatory agencies and commissions involved, which could help. I know he can make two appointments to the PUC, but it's the other boards involved that are the biggest problems.
Well, that and the NIMBY attitude of residents...
Correct, he can make appointments. He can also exert significant pressure within department staff. After all, there's always exile. California is blessed with a variety of sensitive environments in need of their careful attention and vigilant protection, such as Needles, Barstow, and Twentynine Palms.