A recent Democratic electoral victory casts uncertainty on a permitting reform bill in Congress as it faces an initial Senate vote on Monday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expressed his opposition to the bipartisan bill, aligning with some Democrats and environmental groups concerned about changes to federal laws like the National Environmental Policy Act.
Support for the bill appeared uncertain even before Jeffries’ statement.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) aims to ease regulatory barriers for energy projects, reducing consumer energy costs. The legislation could alter the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other significant laws.
Kevin Kircher, a mechanical engineering professor at Purdue University, released a report examining the bill’s emissions impact, highlighting potential overlooked consequences.
The Senate vote on debating the bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), is set for Monday.
Chris Moyer, founder of Echo Communications Advisors, noted the Democrats’ recent electoral gains shift the dynamics for the bill, which he once anticipated passing during the upcoming lame-duck session.
“The numbers we’re looking at in the House and Senate are just massive and Democrats will have a ton of leverage,” Moyer stated. With Democrats poised to gain majorities in the next Congress, they may address clean energy issues without compromising on fossil fuel infrastructure.
Republicans will control the coming lame-duck session, but Democrats will soon have more clout to address energy challenges without current legislative trade-offs.
Scott Segal, an expert at Bracewell law firm, doubts the legislation will pass this year, stating, “Democrats might want to negotiate their own version of it.”
Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) awaits an amendment from the bill’s Senate sponsors addressing concerns such as limiting future presidential opposition to projects.
Costs and Benefits
Kircher’s report evaluates the bill’s broader effects, finding potential increases in both fossil fuel and clean energy jobs and revenue, yet also in emissions and pollution-related deaths.
He criticized the bill’s compromises, saying they are not reasonable without significant changes.
Some analyses highlight a net emissions benefit due to provisions improving renewable energy infrastructure, but Kircher cautions these overlook crucial concerns.
Environmental groups, wary of the bill’s “permit certainty” provisions, argue they could hinder challenges to fossil fuel projects.
Environmentalists welcomed Jeffries’ stance, seeing it as a sign of broader Democratic consideration.
Meanwhile, clean energy groups continue to back the bill, emphasizing its potential to lower consumer costs.
“BAAJA is the best opportunity Congress has to lower prices right now, and they should not delay action on that,” said Dylan Reed of Advanced Energy United.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org