Senate votes on bill to speed up projects from gas pipelines to clean energy

The Senate is due to hold an initial procedural vote on a bipartisan bill designed to speed up major infrastructure projects, from gas pipelines to clean-energy transmission lines. The proposal has split climate advocates: supporters say faster construction could help renewables compete, while opponents warn that the bill would weaken environmental and social protections.

The 417-page bill would change federal reviews under laws including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, and narrow tribal consultation requirements. Environmental groups and Indigenous advocates oppose it, while its Democratic sponsors say they have made changes to protect tribal consultation and believe it would favour renewables. The bill has backing from the fossil-fuel industry; Democrats who won in recent elections will not take their seats until January, creating pressure to advance it beforehand.