A bipartisan permitting reform bill led in part by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is drawing support from labor unions, energy producers, environmental groups, business organizations and state and local government groups.

Capito, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, joined Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., in introducing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 last week.

The legislation is designed to accelerate the approval and construction of energy and infrastructure projects while retaining environmental and historic preservation requirements, according to the senators.

The bill would establish deadlines for environmental reviews and legal challenges, provide greater certainty for projects that have already received permits and financing, and limit the ability of future administrations to revoke permits for entire classes of energy projects.

It also includes provisions intended to expand and modernize the electric grid, accelerate geothermal and other energy development and require rapidly growing data centers to pay the full cost of transmission infrastructure associated with their electricity demand.

The legislation’s focus on electricity infrastructure comes as demand is expected to increase from data centers, advanced manufacturing and broader economic growth.

The Electric Power Supply Association, which represents competitive power suppliers, formally endorsed the legislation Wednesday and urged Congress to pass it when lawmakers return in November.

EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler said competitive power suppliers are prepared to invest billions of dollars in new generation but need a more predictable permitting process.

“Competitive power suppliers are ready to invest billions of dollars of private capital in new supply,” Snitchler said. “This bill provides a balanced, responsible path to cut through unnecessary red tape and help get America building again.”

EPSA members own and operate more than 225,000 megawatts of generation capacity across the country, including natural gas, nuclear, renewable energy and battery storage resources.

The association said competitive suppliers are investing private capital to build new generation, meaning investors rather than captive utility customers bear the financial risk of those projects in competitive electricity markets.

Snitchler said permitting reform does not have to mean eliminating environmental protections.

“For years, EPSA has stressed that making permitting more efficient and predictable does not mean removing critical environmental safeguards,” he said. “Rather, investors need confidence that the permitting process has clearly defined parameters — and that duly issued permits will be honored regardless of changes in political leadership.”

EPSA’s support adds to a growing list of energy companies and industry organizations backing the bill.

American Electric Power Chairman, President and CEO Bill Fehrman said the company supports the legislation because of the need for additional generation and transmission infrastructure to meet growing electricity demand.

“As one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and the operator of the country’s largest transmission network, AEP understands firsthand the critical need for diverse generation and transmission infrastructure,” Fehrman said.

American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet said the legislation’s transmission provisions could improve grid reliability and support additional clean-energy development.

The American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Exploration & Production Council and other oil and gas organizations also expressed support.

The proposal has backing from groups on both sides of the climate and energy debate. Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Climate Leadership Council and several clean-energy organizations said faster permitting is necessary to expand the nation’s energy infrastructure, while groups such as the Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity praised provisions intended to reduce regulatory delays and increase energy production.

Labor organizations also have endorsed the legislation, citing its potential to accelerate construction and create union jobs.

“For LIUNA, the key consideration is whether a permitting package will translate to good union jobs, with prevailing wages and robust apprenticeship opportunities,” said Brent Booker, general president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

Booker said Congress has repeatedly attempted permitting reform over the past decade without reaching a final agreement.

“Congress has another opportunity to get this done,” he said. “We urge lawmakers in both parties to seize this moment.”

The United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters and the International Union of Operating Engineers also endorsed the legislation, citing its potential to create construction jobs and reduce delays on energy and infrastructure projects.

The legislation also has support from the National Association of Manufacturers, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Mining Association.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons said permitting delays cost manufacturers billions of dollars each year and limit companies’ ability to expand and hire.

The bill would also make changes to federal environmental permitting programs affecting housing and other development.

The National Association of Home Builders said the legislation would provide additional certainty for the housing industry, including by increasing acreage thresholds under the Clean Water Act’s nationwide permit program and extending the statutory timeframe for certain Clean Water Act permits from five years to 10 years.

State and local government organizations, including the National Governors Association and National Association of Counties, also endorsed the effort.

The NGA said permitting reform could help states and communities build infrastructure more quickly while reducing costs and improving economic development.

A statement from 21 governors also called for passage of the legislation, saying outdated federal processes are delaying energy and infrastructure projects.

Supporters emphasized that the legislation is intended to maintain environmental safeguards while making the federal permitting process more predictable.

Capito has made permitting reform a major priority as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, including efforts to accelerate energy, transportation and other infrastructure projects.

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act now faces consideration in Congress, where its bipartisan sponsorship reflects an effort to reach an agreement on an issue that has repeatedly stalled in previous legislative sessions.

EPSA is urging Congress to act during its November work period.