Long-running Republican concerns about proposals to strengthen and expand the electric grid were a big reason permitting reform talks collapsed during the last Congress.
The question now is whether Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill can finally compromise on a broad permitting deal that includes transmission language, something that has become more difficult because of President Donald Trump’s agenda against renewable energy.
One difference this time around is a new House Energy and Commerce Committee chair. Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky has been more outspoken on the issue than his predecessor, Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
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“We would like to find a bipartisan pathway forward — if we can,” Guthrie said during an interview.
