Electricity prices have gained political salience as U.S. households feel the financial strain ahead of next month’s midterms. Senate authors of the landmark permitting overhaul bill argue it would lower costs through quicker approvals for new transmission lines to get more clean power flowing to homes and businesses more efficiently.
Set for a key procedural vote on the legislative vehicle when senators return on Nov. 9, the measure would make several politically dicey changes to bedrock environmental laws intended to make it easier to get more infrastructure projects built faster — from electric grid upgrades to oil drilling rigs.
