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Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reform Energy Permitting, Make Data Centers Pay Grid Costs
Sens. Capito, Lee, Whitehouse and Heinrich on Sept. 30 introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to reform federal environmental review and permitting, give permitted projects legal certainty, and make data centers pay for their grid transmission costs.
Why it matters
Four senators from both parties on Wednesday introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, a sweeping bill to overhaul federal environmental review and permitting processes — a rare bipartisan deal on energy policy in a midterm-election year. Sponsors say it will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth, while giving permitted projects legal certainty.
What the bill does
The bill is sponsored by Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Mike Lee (R-Utah), EPW Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and ENR Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). It guarantees that permitted energy and infrastructure projects keep their permits absent extraordinary circumstances, violations of law, or a court order, and includes targeted permitting reforms for various energy projects — changes aimed at getting to "yes" or "no" on projects faster.
Data centers to pay their share
A notable provision requires data centers to pay for all of their associated transmission costs. As AI data centers drive surging power demand, the bill's authors say it ensures the facilities pay their fair share of grid upgrades instead of passing the bill to American families. "It should not take decades to build the infrastructure our country needs," Heinrich said, adding the reforms protect environmental safeguards and tribes' ability to formally consult during reviews. Capito said she looks forward to working with Senate and House colleagues and President Trump to get the bill signed into law.
Sources: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Senate, September 30, 2026.
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