The rocky road to a new permitting law

A sweeping bipartisan deal to cut permitting red tape faces a long road ahead despite a broad show of support. Why it matters: Cutting hurdles for energy projects is a top priority for fossil fuels and renewables sectors, but some green groups fear erosion of safeguards. Powerful business groups want to make building all sorts of infrastructure easier. Driving the news: Top Republicans and Democrats on the Senate's energy and environment panels on Wednesday dropped the 417-page bill that includes: New limits on the duration of lawsuits, and the scope and length of reviews under the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act. A stronger federal hand in siting and approval of large transmission projects. Protections for previously issued permits, a priority for renewables groups and Dems upset with Trump administration barriers. The big picture: A who's who of major business and energy industry groups — representing oil and gas, renewables and coal — cheered the bill. The White House backs the deal and wants quick passage, an official said. State of play: The deal still has a long road ahead. Co-author Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said Wednesday at a press conference that there will be revisions as backers seek input from colleagues. There are also "unresolved" questions about Trump officials returning to "regular order" for wind and solar projects, Whitehouse said. But he credited the administration with a "very reasonable opening proposal" on the matter. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, criticized the bill and said his party will have a stronger hand next year. Center-left backers see a huge opening to help build out clean energy and grid upgrades to integrate it. But groups on the left flank of the climate movement panned it, calling it a giveaway to fossil fuel interests. What we're watching: Some groups with close ties to Democrats staked out a noncommittal-to-positive position, saying they need more time to study the bill. The Natural Resources Defense Council cheered transmission pieces while saying it's unclear if they outweigh "rollbacks" of environmental laws, and said it "must improve." Evergreen Action welcomed project certainty and transmission sections but added that changes to key environmental laws demand "diligent scrutiny." Zoom in: The bill would prevent utility ratepayers from bearing the costs of new power and grid upgrades needed for AI data centers. Everyone's still digesting the intricate bill, but in principle, turning this bipartisan goal into firm requirements could ease political hurdles. The bottom line: Two things are true — the odds of a big permitting deal are at their highest in a very long time, and many things could trip this up. Sign up here for Axios' Future of Energy newsletter.

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