The rocky road to a new permitting law
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A sweeping bipartisan deal to cut permitting red tape faces a long road ahead despite a broad show of support.
Why it matters: Cutting hurdles for energy projects is a top priority for fossil fuels and renewables sectors, but some green groups fear erosion of safeguards.
- Powerful business groups want to make building all sorts of infrastructure easier.
Driving the news: Top Republicans and Democrats on the Senate's energy and environment panels on Wednesday dropped the 417-page bill that includes:
- New limits on the duration of lawsuits, and the scope and length of reviews under the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
- A stronger federal hand in siting and approval of large transmission projects.
- Protections for previously issued permits, a priority for renewables groups and Dems upset with Trump administration barriers.
The big picture: A who's who of major business and energy industry groups — representing oil and gas, renewables and coal — cheered the bill.
- The White House backs the deal and wants quick passage, an official said.
State of play: The deal still has a long road ahead. Co-author Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said Wednesday at a press conference that there will be revisions as backers seek input from colleagues.
- There are also "unresolved" questions about Trump officials returning to "regular order" for wind and solar projects, Whitehouse said.
- But he credited the administration with a "very reasonable opening proposal" on the matter.
- Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, criticized the bill and said his party will have a stronger hand next year.
Center-left backers see a huge opening to help build out clean energy and grid upgrades to integrate it.
- But groups on the left flank of the climate movement panned it, calling it a giveaway to fossil fuel interests.
What we're watching: Some groups with close ties to Democrats staked out a noncommittal-to-positive position, saying they need more time to study the bill.
- The Natural Resources Defense Council cheered transmission pieces while saying it's unclear if they outweigh "rollbacks" of environmental laws, and said it "must improve."
- Evergreen Action welcomed project certainty and transmission sections but added that changes to key environmental laws demand "diligent scrutiny."
Zoom in: The bill would prevent utility ratepayers from bearing the costs of new power and grid upgrades needed for AI data centers.
- Everyone's still digesting the intricate bill, but in principle, turning this bipartisan goal into firm requirements could ease political hurdles.
The bottom line: Two things are true — the odds of a big permitting deal are at their highest in a very long time, and many things could trip this up.
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