Story perspectives

Bipartisan bill caps permitting lawsuits at 150 days

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 3:42 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Senators Introduce Bill

U.S. senators introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to accelerate energy project permitting.
The bill caps lawsuits at 150 days after a project’s approval.
It narrows state power to block pipelines under the Clean Water Act and limits EPA veto authority.
Regional transmission planners must use a consolidated process to cut grid-connection queues, according to Rob Gramlich.

Summary

Nagle Highlights Permitting Delays

John Nagle of the Pacific Legal Foundation says NEPA geothermal assessments average over 500 days.
He adds U.S. mine permitting averages 29 years, the second-longest globally after Zambia.
The American Chemistry Council supports the bill, saying it will aid all-of-the-above energy resources.
ACC estimates the United States needs about 37,000 miles of new pipeline capacity for future demand.

History

Historical Context

The 1992 Energy Policy Act, signed by President George H.W. Bush, overhauled federal energy regulation and spurred deregulation of electricity markets. It empowered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Congress to streamline pipeline siting, cutting permitting time from 29 years to 5 years, saving $1.2 billion annually. Today's Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act mirrors that reform by capping lawsuits at 150 days and limiting EPA vetoes, echoing 1992’s push for faster approvals. If the 1992 precedent holds, the new law could accelerate 37,000 miles of pipelines, potentially cutting grid-connection queues by 30 % and reshaping U.S. energy infrastructure.

1 of 3

Senators Introduce Bill

U.S. senators introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to accelerate energy project permitting.
The bill caps lawsuits at 150 days after a project’s approval.
It narrows state power to block pipelines under the Clean Water Act and limits EPA veto authority.
Regional transmission planners must use a consolidated process to cut grid-connection queues, according to Rob Gramlich.

1 / 3