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United States

Senate advances bipartisan bill to speed permitting for energy and data centres

The 73-25 procedural vote moves a permitting overhaul that could shorten approval timelines for energy projects, a key issue for businesses and regulators.

Photo: Heatmap News

What happened

The U.S. Senate voted 73-25 on Monday to formally take up the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at speeding up permitting reviews. Heatmap News+4 The bill is intended to speed up permitting for data centres and other infrastructure projects, including power plants, pipelines and transmission lines. The Globe and Mail+3 The legislation would shorten the timeline for big energy projects, covering both clean energy and fossil fuel projects, and would require data centres to pay for the energy they use. The Globe and Mail+2 The vote was the first major action in the Senate since last week's midterm elections. The Globe and Mail+3 Twenty-two Democrats joined most Republicans in supporting the advancement of the bill. The New York Times

Around it

President Donald Trump urged senators to vote for the bill, calling it a BIG WIN for U.S. energy independence and dominance. The Globe and Mail+2 Some environmental and tribal advocates oppose the bill, while clean energy and fossil fuel industry groups back it. Canary Media Anger over artificial intelligence data centres and rising electricity prices helped elect a wave of Democrats who pledged to clamp down on such structures. The Globe and Mail+1 Some senators have said they want further changes before agreeing to the final version of the bill. The New York Times

What comes next

The bill has to pass Congress by the end of the current term. bloomberglaw.com

Sources

  1. Heatmap NewsPermitting Reform ‘Survived Its First Test’
  2. The Globe and MailU.S. Senate votes to advance sweeping energy legislation
  3. AP NewsSenate weighs energy legislation amid data center backlash...
  4. Canary MediaToday's headlines: Permitting bill advances, NRC issues another…
  5. The New York TimesCongress to Vote on Far-Reaching Plan to Speed Up Energy Projects
  6. NewsdaySenate advances sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections
  7. bloomberglaw.comPlan to Overhaul Energy Permitting Regime Clears Senate Hurdle

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