Hundreds of solar and storage companies have co-signed a letter addressed to Congress in support of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA) (S. 5653).
“You can’t lower energy costs if you can’t build the energy projects, and these companies know that this bipartisan legislation will help get America building again,” said Tim Pawlenty, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in a press release.
BAAJA was introduced in the Senate on Sept. 30 by Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), and co-sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). The legislation is focused on quickening permitting for a range of projects with federal oversight, many of them related to energy production. BAAJA specifically calls out solar photovoltaic systems, energy storage and on- and offshore wind, but also includes language for fossil fuel sources, such as natural gas, oil and coal.
If passed, the Senate bill would amend sections of the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act of 1973 with the goal of shortening project permitting windows. According to the text, it would change and reduce which projects would need to be reviewed under those acts, such as water quality certifications; shorten the length of review periods for projects; and would not require permits for oil and gas drilling on land not owned by the federal government.
BAAJA would also grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the ability to issue permits for some electricity transmission projects.
According to a SEIA analysis, if BAAJA was passed, solar energy output could increase by 167 GW between 2028 and 2035. The companies that signed this letter to Congress believe that federal permitting practices are outdated, and permitting reform is a solution to lowering energy costs.
“The message from more than 300 companies comes as voters made clear in the midterm elections that lowering energy costs is a top concern,” the group stated in a press release. “Permitting reform is urgently needed to meet rising demand and get more reliable, affordable solar and storage projects built.”
BAAJA is currently under review by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Tell Us What You Think!