US Senate advances major bill boosting energy infrastructure
Summary
The Senate voted 73-25 to take up the bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, which would change permitting for energy projects and require data-centre owners to pay for needed power infrastructure. Supporters say it would lower electricity costs and expand clean-energy connections, while environmental groups and some Democrats oppose parts of the bill; its final passage remains uncertain.Key Facts
- Nearly all Senate Republicans and more than a dozen Democrats voted to advance consideration of the bill.
- The proposal would shorten environmental review deadlines and limit when energy projects can be challenged in court.
- The bill covers both clean-energy and fossil-fuel projects.
- The bill’s authors estimate it would save households $19 billion on electricity bills through 2040.
- The proposal says data-centre owners would pay $55 billion over 10 years toward the infrastructure needed for their power use.
- Environmental groups say the measure could support fossil-fuel development, weaken environmental protections and restrict community challenges to projects.
- Some Democrats want to delay action until new congressional majorities take office; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said the bill falls short.
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