Senate Advances Sweeping Energy Permitting Bill

The Senate voted 73-25 to take up bipartisan legislation designed to speed federal permitting for major energy and infrastructure projects, including data centers. The measure would shorten timelines for both clean-energy and fossil-fuel projects and require data centers to pay for the energy they use. Supporters, including President Donald Trump and industry groups, argue faster approvals could help meet electricity demand and reduce energy costs. Environmental groups oppose the bill, warning it could entrench fossil-fuel development, weaken environmental safeguards and limit communities’ ability to challenge project approvals. Its prospects may be complicated by Democrats’ stronger position in the next Congress, with some Democrats favoring a permitting approach that supports clean energy while restricting fossil-fuel expansion.