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ARTICLE · 15 OCTOBER 2026

Washington Update: Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure — October 2026

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
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Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

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Congressional energy policy is undergoing a significant transformation as House Democrats unveil a comprehensive blueprint emphasizing affordability and security over climate framing, while states across the political spectrum aggressively regulate data center development. Bipartisan permitting reform negotiations have accelerated with the introduction of sweeping legislation...

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
John Lushetsky
John Lushetsky
R. Neal Martin
R. Neal Martin
John McEachern
John McEachern
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September brought significant developments across congressional energy policy, data center regulation, infrastructure investment, and federal permitting.

House Democrats released a sweeping 253-page policy blueprint signaling a rhetorical pivot from climate-focused framing toward affordability and security, while state governors across the political spectrum moved aggressively to regulate data center development ahead of the midterm elections.

On Capitol Hill, the Ratepayer Protection Act cleared the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote but stalled in the Senate, and bipartisan permitting reform negotiations accelerated with negotiators reporting progress on a potential deal.

Meanwhile, Project Vault reached a key milestone with $1 billion in new private commitments, and DOE announced billions in funding for geothermal energy and grid modernization.

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