TechPolitics
A new bill could change how the US builds energy infrastructure
Publication: MIT Technology Review
Author: Casey Crownhart
Source published: 05/11/2026, 10:00:00 UTC
Briefing created: 05/11/2026, 10:37:03 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/11/2026, 10:35:23 UTC.
Briefings
A bipartisan bill known as the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) is scheduled for Senate approval on November 9, 2026, aiming to streamline US energy infrastructure permitting. The legislation, spanning 417 pages, seeks to reduce review times for projects involving fossil fuels and renewables. While proponents argue it will unlock 350 gigawatts of clean energy and boost GDP, environmental groups warn that narrowing environmental reviews could harm public lands. Early analyses suggest the bill could reduce economy-wide emissions by 4% in the best-case scenario, though some models predict higher emissions if permitting reforms inadvertently accelerate natural-gas plant construction.
Key points
- The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) is scheduled for Senate approval on November 9, 2026, to overhaul the US energy permitting process.
- The bill is technology neutral, allowing both fossil fuels and renewables to proceed, though it faces opposition from environmental groups concerned about public land impacts.
Context
The US federal permitting system is currently slow and complicated, governed by laws like the National Environmental Policy Act. This bill attempts to tighten regulations to speed up approvals for energy projects, a goal supported by the White House and economic groups but opposed by some environmental organizations.
Limitations
Early analyses from Rhodium Group and Resources for the Future provide estimates for 2040 and 2041, but the bill's full impact on emissions and grid costs remains uncertain due to the timing of the November 9 vote and potential future legislative changes.
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