Senate inches closer to US infrastructure permitting reform bill
XLI•Senators are nearing a deal to reform permitting laws for large infrastructure projects after the White House offered assurances on wind and solar, but a vote before the November midterm elections remains uncertain.
1. Talks near legislative language
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Martin Heinrich have negotiated permitting legislation with Republicans for months. Whitehouse said the administration had offered assurances on how wind and solar projects would be handled, and that agreed parameters could be put into legislative language in coming days or hours for review.
2. Vote remains uncertain
Whitehouse said the Senate needs more clarity from the executive branch on its promises and that ordinary Senate procedure must play out. The House has not passed the bill and is scheduled to be in recess until after the November midterm elections. Democrats have offered to reform environmental laws, while Republicans have called for faster approvals; industry groups across electric utilities, renewable energy and oil and gas have urged lawmakers to act this year.
