The American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 is backed by Sens. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, Shelley Moore Capito, a West Virginia Republican, and Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat. The bill’s future is uncertain: it could face extensive amendments in the Senate, and House Democrats have signaled concerns about its effects on environmental safeguards.

The proposal would shorten federal review timelines for power plants and transmission lines, allow federal and state reviews to proceed at the same time, and streamline reviews involving historic properties. It would also reduce the time to file most legal challenges from as long as six years to 150 days.

The bill aims to accelerate environmental reviews without changing their underlying standards, but critics argue that compressed schedules and limits on legal challenges could make it harder to identify or contest harmful projects. It would also make it more difficult for a state to block an interstate gas pipeline or electric transmission line that the administration considers important for national security or economic reasons.

The proposal includes a provision requiring data centers to pay the additional costs of electricity infrastructure tied to their operations. That issue has drawn attention as the facilities’ growing power demand raises questions about who pays for new generation and transmission capacity.

Whitehouse has argued the bill could lower electricity costs, expand clean power and create construction jobs. He said it would also ensure data centers pay their share. Lee has framed the permitting system as a barrier that makes projects take too long and cost too much.

Environmental organizations see significant risks. Brett Hartl of the Center for Biological Diversity said the bill’s focus on speeding approvals could fail to distinguish between beneficial and harmful projects. Eric Schlenker-Goodrich of the Western Environmental Law Center said the proposal would sacrifice protections important to the public.

The concerns have particular resonance in Maryland, where the Chesapeake Bay Foundation was among 122 clean-air and clean-water organizations that sent a letter to Senate Democrats opposing the measure. The coalition warned that changes to review and approval rules could put communities, wildlife and water resources at risk.

Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat who is the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said he supports improving the process for transmission and clean-energy projects but raised concerns about the bill. He said states, tribes, affected communities and endangered wildlife should not be left without protections.

The bill’s sponsors say it could make it harder for an administration to block renewable-energy permits for political reasons, though negotiations with the White House on that provision are continuing. President Donald Trump has opposed some renewable-energy projects.

The measure has also drawn support from industry groups. The American Petroleum Institute called permitting reform a major opportunity, while the National Governors Association said it was encouraged by the bill’s introduction and wanted to work with Congress as it develops.

Debate is expected to continue beyond the Senate. Whitehouse has acknowledged that lawmakers still need to resolve disagreements, and House Democrats have indicated the legislation would need changes to gain broader support.