# Senators Introduce Energy Permitting Reform Bill

On September 30, 2026, Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Mike Lee, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Martin Heinrich introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, a proposal to change federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects. The package would set one- to two-year deadlines for major environmental reviews, establish a 150-day deadline for lawsuits challenging project approvals, expand FERC’s role in concurrent reviews, and require data centers to cover transmission costs associated with their electricity demand. The proposal remains pending: a Senate vote is expected after the November 3 midterm elections, and the House has not passed it. It is a policy development, not an active solicitation or awarded contract.

- If enacted, the review deadlines and litigation provisions could affect project schedules and permitting risk for generation, transmission, grid expansion, mineral, and infrastructure projects. Contractors should assess how the proposed timelines and safeguards could affect planning assumptions.
- Data-center developers and firms involved in transmission and grid services should evaluate the proposed allocation of transmission costs, which could affect project budgets and demand for related services.
- Cement and other industrial firms may be affected by proposed changes to federal environmental review and permitting, including provisions affecting the National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act. The bill also remains subject to congressional action and presidential approval.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Policy, Physical Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 05, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Senate (U.S. Senate)
- United States Congress (Congress)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

### Key Quotes
> A lot of dead-end avenues had to be explored before we found the compromises that made this possible.
> — Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator

> We are still reviewing this new 400+ page package. But this bill cannot guarantee that more wind and solar projects will actually get built.
> — Holly Bender, Chief Program Officer of the Sierra Club

> Building transmission is important. It’s also important not to lock in more fossil fuels and lock out communities.
> — Edward J. Markey, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Key Senators Present Bipartisan Permitting Reform Proposal - RTO Insider](https://www.rtoinsider.com/147080-breaking-news-key-senators-reach-bipartisan-permitting-reform-proposal) - rtoinsider.com
- [Senators Hit Deal on Energy Project Permitting Bill, Vote After Midterm Elections | NTD](https://mb.ntd.com/senators-hit-deal-on-energy-project-permitting-bill-vote-after-midterm-elections_1176118.html) - mb.ntd.com
- [U.S. senators introduce bipartisan permitting reform bill for energy and infrastructure](https://tradersunion.com/news/financial-news/show/3595588-us-senate-bipartisan-permitting-reform) - Traders Union