Capito-backed permitting reform bill draws bipartisan support across energy, labor groups
A bipartisan Senate permitting reform bill led in part by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has received support from energy, labor, environmental and business groups. The bill would streamline federal approvals while preserving environmental safeguards and require rapidly growing data centers to pay the full cost of transmission infrastructure tied to their electricity demand.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, introduced by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., would establish deadlines for environmental reviews and legal challenges and provide greater certainty for permitted and financed projects. It also includes measures to expand the electric grid and requires rapidly growing data centers to cover the transmission costs associated with their power demand.
The bill has been endorsed by the Electric Power Supply Association, American Electric Power, clean-energy and fossil-fuel groups, labor unions, manufacturers and state and local government organizations. Supporters say the legislation could accelerate infrastructure construction, improve grid reliability and create jobs while maintaining environmental and historic-preservation protections. The proposal is expected to receive further consideration in Congress during its November work period.