# Congress Considers BAAJA Permitting Reform

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), introduced in late September 2026, remains pending in Congress; a Senate vote was reported as possible during the week after November 6, but passage is uncertain. If enacted, the bill could shorten federal review and permitting timelines for transmission infrastructure supporting data centers and other infrastructure projects. It would also require data centers with capacity of at least 20 MW to cover their additional costs and direct the Energy Information Administration to distinguish electricity use for AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency mining. Industry groups have urged passage, but the signals identify no solicitation, contract award, funding amount, or implementation schedule.

- Faster permitting could improve project schedules for transmission, energy, data center, mining, and related infrastructure developers, but procurement and project plans should treat this as a potential change, not an enacted benefit.
- Data center operators and infrastructure contractors working on facilities of at least 20 MW can assess potential cost-allocation and energy-reporting implications if the bill becomes law.
- Because the legislation remains pending and no active procurement is identified, contractors can use its provisions as contingent assumptions in permitting timelines, project cost estimates, and community-engagement planning.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Policy, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

### Sources
- [Bipartisan US Senate bill could speed up AI data center buildout: report — TradingView News](https://www.tradingview.com/news/seekingalpha:9b1baef23094b:0-bipartisan-us-senate-bill-could-speed-up-ai-data-center-buildout-report) - TradingView
- [AFPM urges Congress to pass bipartisan permitting reform bill](https://pgjonline.com/news/2026/november/afpm-urges-congress-to-pass-bipartisan-permitting-reform-bill) - Pipeline and Gas Journal
- [With a Deal in Hand, Congress Must Pass Permitting Reform Without Delay - Publications - National Taxpayers Union](https://www.ntu.org/publications/detail/with-a-deal-in-hand-congress-must-pass-permitting-reform-without-delay) - National Taxpayers Union