Gas, solar, and tech companies all want this bill. Will Congress pass it?
Permitting reform is popular in Washington, but facilitating data centers is "toxic" with voters.
As electricity demand surges due to technology and manufacturing, Senators are in a race against time to pass a bill that would streamline the permitting process for energy projects. The bipartisan effort comes after years of failed attempts and is seen as crucial to meeting the country's energy needs. However, the bill faces public opposition due to concerns about data centers being built in their communities, which polls show are strongly opposed by Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
The legislation aims to reduce the barriers to building energy infrastructure by simplifying environmental reviews, loosening some regulations, and making permits less vulnerable to lawsuits. Both parties see this as an opportunity to address the urgent need for new energy projects, but they must navigate the complex political landscape leading up to the midterms.
Written by urgent.news from Grist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
