Democratic US senators push for energy permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote
XLE•Democratic senators urged support for a bipartisan energy permitting bill ahead of a Senate vote on opening debate. The package would speed approvals for energy and infrastructure projects and require large data centers to pay more toward grid upgrades.
1. Senators seek support
Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse urged fellow Democrats to back the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act ahead of a preliminary Senate vote. They said changes to the bill and assurances from the Trump administration about stalled wind projects could help win over skeptics.
2. Changes and objections
Changes unveiled Saturday would require consultation with Native communities, expand states’ roles in transmission planning and utility oversight, modify provisions affecting electric cooperatives and public power utilities, and create a Department of Energy program to help communities address data-center impacts. The National Congress of American Indians urged Congress to halt consideration, saying the bill would weaken tribal sovereignty and protections for sacred sites; environmental groups said it still posed significant risks.
3. Vote positions
Jeff Merkley said he would oppose the package, citing provisions that he said would speed natural gas pipelines and LNG export facilities and weaken environmental protections. Catherine Cortez Masto said she would support opening debate but oppose final passage unless provisions affecting the National Historic Preservation Act were removed. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the bill remained under review.
