Democratic US senators see hope for permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote
XLU•Democratic senators Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse said changes to a bipartisan energy permitting bill and assurances about stalled wind projects could help win support ahead of a preliminary Senate vote. The bill would speed approvals for infrastructure projects and require large data centers to pay more for grid upgrades.
1. Changes aim to win support
Heinrich and Whitehouse urged Democrats to support the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act ahead of a vote to open debate. Changes include expanded tribal consultation, a greater state role in transmission planning and a Department of Energy program to help communities address data-center impacts.
2. Opposition remains
Nearly 100 Native American organizations urged Congress to halt consideration, saying the bill would weaken protections for tribal sovereignty, sacred sites and cultural resources. Environmental groups said the changes were improvements but the legislation still posed significant risks to public lands and environmental protections.
3. Wind permit assurances
Whitehouse said the Trump administration had assured him that a backlog of hundreds of wind energy permit applications stalled at the Department of Defense would begin moving through approval. Supporters say the bill could lower electricity costs and give developers greater confidence that approved projects will proceed without delays or permit reversals.
