US energy permitting bill gains momentum but hurdles remain

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An energy permitting bill that could have far-reaching consequences for projects across the US still faces a series of hurdles despite advancing in a lopsided vote in the…

An energy permitting bill that could have far-reaching consequences for projects across the US still faces a series of hurdles despite advancing in a lopsided vote in the Senate.

The bill, known as the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, would accelerate permitting reviews for data centres, mines, renewables and other infrastructure projects, and is the culmination of years of negotiations.

The measure passed a procedural vote by 73 to 25 in the Senate on Monday, with an approval process now expected to take place.

Data ExplainedDemocrats’ midterm gains put US data centre boom under pressure

However, significant challenges remain for the bill's final passage: the lame-duck session of Congress before the new Congress is sworn in next year, and President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump, who had initially pushed senators to vote in favour of the bill, said he would not approve any new wind turbine permits, setting up a key point of contention with Democrats.

“He did not help last night. My phone blew up. The White House was like … 'sorry, he just says stuff. We all know that, right?'” Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich, one of the bill's co-sponsors, said during an event on Tuesday.

“We have an alignment right now: the House, the Senate, and the White House that has real value to making energy cheaper and putting more clean energy online,” he said.

The bill also is the Democrats' first opportunity to tackle data centres after the party's stunning midterms sweep, when voters expressed anger and frustration over the projects and associated rising energy costs.

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