Lawmakers introduce aggressive legislation to accelerate an energy build-out. Energy developers have clamored for years for legislation to speed up their projects. Congress wants to give it to them—and more. On Wednesday, Republican and Democratic senators introduced sweeping legislation, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, that includes aggressive measures to fend off the permitting lags developers have long complained about.
Oil-and-gas companies have dealt with long delays securing permits for new pipelines, along with yearslong lawsuits from environmental groups. They threw their support behind President Trump in part to cut through red tape. Wind and solar developers have wrangled with mounting local opposition to their projects and transmission lines. Both Republicans and Democrats have agreed reforms were needed to build new projects amid soaring energy demand.
The bill makes it harder to challenge a permit in court and mandates that data centers pay for all associated transmission costs. It was introduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, and Sheldon Whitehouse. Lawmakers said the bill should lower electricity costs, increase clean power, and add jobs.
Drew Maloney, CEO of the Edison Electric Institute, said it was encouraged by measures that streamline environmental permitting. Toby Rice, CEO of EQT, said, "Now, we have a real opportunity to finally get it done." Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration & Production Council, said the bill "would unlock generational investments."
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing