The path ahead for the permitting bill
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Summary
The Senate's bipartisan permitting bill advanced in a lopsided vote on Monday, but key hurdles lie ahead. Why it matters: The legislation could have far-reaching consequences for how energy projects get built across the U.S. A few takeaways from Monday's vote: The big margin was politically lopsided. The 73-25 split to advance the bill "was as good or a little bit better" than what co-author Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) was expecting, she told reporters in the Capitol. The GOP split was 51-1 in favor, with only Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.) voting no. 21 Democrats and Maine independent Sen. Angus King voted yes, while 23 Dems and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders were against advancing the bill toward full debate. It was tentative. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement afterward that he has "outstanding concerns" with the bill that he'll "fight to address" through amendments. He's not alone in only a tentative yes vote. For instance, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) is against final passage unless changes to the National Historic Preservation Act are jettisoned, citing tribal concerns. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is in a similar place. Climate hawk vs. climate hawk. The most outspoken Senate Democrats on climate change split on the vote. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) joined coauthors Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in backing the measure. But Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Sanders, all voted no. Watch the clock. Whitehouse pledged a "very healthy" amendment process. But the Senate is now up against the lame duck calendar, and the House would still need to act on whatever emerges. Plus, any changes would need to thread a political needle of maintaining Democratic support without losing too many Republicans. Climate's cachet has fallen. Heinrich and Whitehouse, at a pre-vote press conference, emphasized affordability, data center accountability and jobs before touting power sector emissions curbs from the bill. But Whitehouse also sought to reassure climate and environmental organizations. "This bill is the floor, not the ceiling, of our climate and environmental aspirations, and we look forward to working to accomplish big things with our big Democratic majorities," he said in the Capitol. President Trump is a wild card. His comments shortly before Monday's vote that he would not approve wind turbines, while reiterating his full support for the bill, rocketed around the Capitol. And the White House reaffirmed that the president "stands 100%" behind the bill. The bill's success depends on Trump officials "getting wind turbines up and spinning to get affordable energy on the grid," and progress is needed before final passage, Whitehouse said in a statement. What we're watching: Proposed amendments as they roll in, but also the politics in the closely divided House. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the bill last week and called for more engagement with his caucus. Asked Monday whether the Senate co-authors' revisions addressed his concerns, Jeffries told reporters that it's still under review. Sign up here for Axios' Future of Energy newsletter.
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