The new energy permitting bill to feed the AI boom unites fossil fuels and clean power while dividing green energy and environmentalists

Congress is trying to solve two problems with one piece of legislation: a slowing energy buildout and the power hunger of the AI boom. The result is the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a bill that has done something rare in Washington — pulled fossil fuel interests and renewable energy advocates into the same room, while splitting environmental groups from the green power industry.

The measure would speed up permitting for solar farms, transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, and other projects. It would also make it harder for presidents to yank permits, narrow environmental reviews, and push more disputes out of state courts and into federal ones. Supporters say that matters because electricity demand is climbing fast, in large part because of data center construction, while utility bills are rising for a mix of reasons that includes old infrastructure and higher demand.

For the solar industry, the appeal is simple: more wires, more projects, more power. Ben Norris of the Solar Energy Industries Association called the package a balanced and unprecedented bundling of streamlining ideas, and said the new transmission and clean energy it could unlock outweigh the tradeoffs. He argued that adding more sources of electricity would help put downward pressure on prices. The bill is coauthored by Sens. Mike Lee, Sheldon Whitehouse, Martin Heinrich, and Shelley Moore Capito, who call themselves the Four Corners.

Environmental groups see the same bill and see a lot more damage. Earthjustice Action President Abigail Dillen said the tradeoffs are too large, pointing to weakened protections for water, wetlands, endangered species, and environmental review. The Sierra Club made a similar argument, saying the bill would weaken key parts of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act, including states’ ability to use state courts to defend waterways.

The fossil fuel side is cheering for different reasons. Toby Rice, CEO of EQT, said the bill would make it easier to build pipelines and transmission lines and give companies more confidence to build. He argued for a tech-neutral approach and said the government should let market forces decide what gets built. That is the real fight here: not whether America needs more energy infrastructure, but which kind gets to move fastest.