Senate Advances Permitting Bill as 22 Democrats Join Republicans

The vote moves the bill to an expected contentious amendment process. Democratic backers, including Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Chuck Schumer of New York, have described it as a compromise needed to accelerate clean-energy projects.

Critics say the legislation would exempt pipeline expansions and other energy projects from review under the National Environmental Policy Act, make legal challenges harder and limit courts’ ability to halt projects over inadequate environmental reviews. It would also weaken states’ ability to raise clean-water concerns about gas pipelines and transmission lines, according to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who voted against advancing the bill.

Merkley said the bill had never received a public hearing despite its potential impact. As written, he said, it would speed fossil-fuel extraction and use, while shortening the time for community groups to object and affecting tribal sovereignty and rights. He said permitting reform for electrical transmission lines was essential but argued the bill required more deliberation.

The Trump White House and the American Petroleum Institute support the measure. President Trump said Monday he would not approve construction of any wind turbines. Elizabeth Bast, executive director of Oil Change International, called the bill “exactly what the fossil fuel industry wants.” Environment America executive director Lisa Frank said weakening water protections and public input rights was not necessary to build clean energy. Environmental and tribal groups urged lawmakers to defer consideration until the next Congress, when Democrats will control both chambers, according to the source.