# Senate Advances BAAJA Permitting Reforms

On November 9–10, 2026, the Senate advanced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA) by a 73–25 procedural vote. The bill remains subject to further Senate floor action and amendments; the House would need to pass identical language before it could go to the president. Proposed provisions would change federal environmental review and permitting, revise transmission planning and siting rules, establish DOE technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments assessing data center proposals, and require data center developers to pay for transmission upgrades their projects trigger. No solicitation, contract award, or implementation schedule is identified, so procurement impacts depend on whether the bill is enacted and its final language.

- Transmission, energy, broadband, water, mining, and other infrastructure contractors may see changes to project approval timelines and financing if the permitting provisions advance; the proposed limits on judicial remedies for NEPA violations remain contested.
- One study cited in the signals estimates roughly **$55 billion** in transmission charges over 10 years under the data-center upgrade-cost provision, about $35 billion above current-policy costs. Developers and transmission contractors can use this estimate when assessing potential project costs, while recognizing it is not a contract value or enacted requirement.
- DOE technical assistance could affect how state, local, and tribal governments evaluate data center proposals. Organizations involved in those projects should assess the bill’s final language before treating any provision as an operative requirement.
- The signals describe a legislative proposal, not an active procurement opportunity; contractors should account for the pending Senate and House steps in project planning rather than assume permitting changes are in effect.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Policy, Regulatory Compliance, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Senate (U.S. Senate)
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

### Sources
- [Senate Advances Bipartisan
American Affordability and Jobs Act](https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-advances-bipartisanamerican-affordability-and-jobs-act) - Capito
- [Addressing Concerns of Utilities and Other Stakeholders, Senate Advances Bipartisan Permitting Reform Legislation | McGuireWoods LLP - JDSupra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/addressing-concerns-of-utilities-and-2221509) - JD Supra
- [Guest columnist: Energy and infrastructure permitting breakthrough within reach | State-Journal](https://state-journal.com/2026/11/12/guest-columnist-energy-and-infrastructure-permitting-breakthrough-within-reach) - State-Journal