On Nov. 9, the Senate voted 73–25 to begin debate on a bipartisan bill to speed approval of energy projects, but the vote did not pass the bill.
The bill, called the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, aims to speed reviews by the federal government for major infrastructure projects, including power plants, transmission lines, pipelines and mines. Its sponsors—Republican Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Mike Lee and Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse—say faster approvals could help meet rising electricity demand and lower costs. The bill would also require data centers to pay for the electricity they use and certain power-grid upgrades needed to serve them.
Supporters in parts of the energy and business sectors see the package as a way to build infrastructure more quickly. Environmental groups and some Democrats, however, warn that changes to environmental reviews and limits on the ability to challenge approvals could weaken safeguards and community input. Some senators have also raised concerns about protections for tribal nations and projects that affect tribal lands.
As of Nov. 11, the Senate had not passed the bill, and debate and possible amendments remained ahead. The House would also need to approve it before it could become law.