Democrat permitting bill authors 'not going to wait' for new US Congress

Democratic senators Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse said Wednesday they will not delay their bipartisan energy permitting bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, to wait for a Democratic-controlled Congress next year. The bill would overhaul federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects. TD Cowen cut its outlook for passage from 40% to 25%.

Democratic senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said on Wednesday they will not delay their bipartisan energy permitting bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, to seek a better deal next year when Democrats control both chambers of Congress. The bill would overhaul federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, including transmission lines, mines, and renewable and fossil fuel projects. Heinrich said in a statement, "This is the closest we have come to actually finding something that can get signed into law, and I'm not going to wait." Whitehouse added, "It's a bird in the hand. We'd be fools not to take it." The push comes as some Democrats, including Representative Jared Huffman, and environmental groups argue for more ambitious legislation under a Democratic Congress. Investment firm TD Cowen cut its outlook for the bill's success from 40% to 25%, saying the Democratic victory likely emboldens voices arguing the bill gives too many concessions to oil and gas. The bill was negotiated with Republican senators Shelley Moore Capito and Mike Lee, who did not respond to requests for comment.