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ARTICLE · 16 OCTOBER 2026

Senate Unveils Bipartisan Comprehensive Permitting Reform Bill

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On September 30, 2026, Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair Mike Lee (R-UT), and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM) unveiled the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA; S. 5653), a comprehensive permitting reform package aimed at accelerating approvals for energy, infrastructure, transmission, mining, manufacturing, and other major projects. The legislation represents the most significant bipartisan permitting reform effort in years and follows months of negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Ike Emehelu
Ike Emehelu
Susan Lent
Susan Lent
Christopher Treanor
Christopher Treanor
Colleen McBride
Colleen McBride
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Key Points

  • Senate leaders released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, the most significant permitting reform package considered by Congress in years, following months of negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats.
  • The legislation would establish new permitting deadlines, reform judicial review procedures, and make significant changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, transmission permitting, energy leasing, and project certainty requirements.
  • Senate leaders are expected to pursue floor consideration in early November and anticipate broad bipartisan support. House consideration is anticipated shortly thereafter, although procedural hurdles remain.

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