If the prospects for a permitting deal this Congress appeared unlikely before the election, that’s even truer after major Republican wins Tuesday night.
With Donald Trump winning the presidency and Republicans seizing control of the Senate, there is now serious doubt over the fate of a compromise package that some Democrats had hoped would cement a key piece of their electrification plans.
“I don’t really see a path forward,” said a Senate Republican aide granted anonymity to speak freely. “I don’t see there being much of an appetite on it.”
Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) spent months crafting permitting and transmission legislation that sought buy-in from Republicans, who historically have supported the idea of accelerating environmental review for energy projects, but largely opposed adding transmission provisions to the mix.
