Friday, 30 October 2026

U.S. Senate leaders plan an initial vote in less than two weeks on a permitting reform bill meant to ease regulatory barriers that can delay energy projects, according to Inside Climate News.

Four Senate Democrats told the bill's co-sponsors in a letter that they doubt President Donald Trump's administration can be trusted to follow through on promises made during negotiations, Inside Climate News reported.

The four senators threatened to oppose a motion to proceed to debate at the vote scheduled for Nov. 9 unless the administration reinstates all canceled awards and commits in writing to stop basing grant decisions on the political affiliation of a state's elected officials.

Some of the country's leading environmental groups are increasing their opposition to the measure as the vote nears, arguing that it would do more harm than good, according to Inside Climate News.

The initial vote is set to take place in less than two weeks.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized a $5.1 billion federally guaranteed loan for two Alliant Energy utilities operating in Iowa and Wisconsin, Power Magazine reported.

The financing lowers borrowing costs as the utilities build out gas-fired generation, battery storage, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage, while also covering upgrades to power plants already running in both states, according to Power Magazine.