Bennet Statement on Permitting Reform Vote

About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet Statement on Permitting Reform Vote Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after voting against advancing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026:  “Our electric grid is under significant strain and faces growing demand. We need to build new transmission, bring more energy, especially clean energy, onto the grid, and keep electricity […] Nov 10, 2026 | Press Releases Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after voting against advancing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026: “Our electric grid is under significant strain and faces growing demand. We need to build new transmission, bring more energy, especially clean energy, onto the grid, and keep electricity affordable. We should make it easier to build new infrastructure, and I strongly support efforts to make this a reality. “However, permitting reform is complex, and the details matter. I am concerned that not all perspectives were sufficiently heard during the drafting of this far-reaching piece of legislation. “As drafted, the bill does not do enough to ensure sovereign Tribal governments can protect their cultural resources and ancestral homelands, which they have stewarded since time immemorial. The bill also fundamentally overhauls how the federal government engages with the public and local communities as projects move through the permitting process. These changes must be vetted more thoroughly before passing into law. Given these concerns, I cannot support advancing this bill at this time. “There is no doubt that we must act on these issues. That means working toward meaningful, bipartisan permitting reforms that provide certainty and reduce unnecessary delays – while also protecting our environment, respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and preserving meaningful public input. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on a path forward that achieves these goals and supports Colorado’s communities, workers, and energy priorities.” ### Contact Info 261 Russell Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-5852 Fax: 202-228-5097 View State Offices Resources Write to Michael Get Help with a Federal Agency Visiting DC Investing in Colorado Map ©2026 U.S. Senate. All Rights Reserved.  | Privacy Policy Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow