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United States

Senate advances bipartisan energy permitting bill by 73-25 vote

The bill would speed approvals for energy and data center projects, a first major Senate step after the midterm elections and a question for the House.

Photo: Al Jazeera

What happened

The bill aims to shorten the timeline for large energy projects, covering both clean energy and fossil fuel projects, and to make data centres pay for the energy they use. AP News+1 Nearly all Republicans and more than a dozen Democrats, including 22 Democrats by one count, supported advancing the bill. Al Jazeera+2 President Donald Trump publicly backed the bill on social media, calling it a big win for U.S. energy independence and dominance. Al Jazeera

Around it

Opposition remains from some tribes, environmental groups and Democrats, who say the bill weakens protections, while supporters say it balances faster building with jobs and cleaner energy. The Straits Times+1 Trump later said the bill hasn't been fully negotiated and declared he would not approve wind projects, a stance that sponsors Sheldon Whitehouse said he was not concerned about. Heatmap News+2 Sponsors said the changes add tribal consultation and a larger state role in planning, and they argued the bill could cut electricity costs. The Straits Times

What comes next

Senators will now open debate on the bill and consider amendments, though how many will receive a vote is not publicly known. Heatmap News It remains unclear whether the bill can clear the House. Politico

Sources

  1. AP NewsSenate advances sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections
  2. The Straits TimesUS Senate advances energy permitting Bill opposed by some Democrats, tribes
  3. Heatmap NewsSenate Permitting Deal Wins First Vote
  4. Al JazeeraUS Senate advances major bill boosting energy infrastructure
  5. The New York TimesCongress to Vote on Far-Reaching Plan to Speed Up Energy Projects
  6. Canary MediaToday's headlines: Permitting bill advances, NRC issues another…
  7. PoliticoDemocrats' sticky wicket to affordability

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