Permitting reform dead unless Trump stops attacks on renewables, Democrat senator says

The top Democrat on the Senate environment committee stated that bipartisan legislation to expedite energy project permitting will only be supported if federal agencies cease blocking renewable energy initiatives. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse emphasized that permitting reform cannot advance unless assurances are made against interference from the Trump administration, which has hindered wind and solar projects. The House passed a bill to streamline environmental reviews, but some Democrats oppose amendments that would allow Trump to block offshore wind farms. Whitehouse called for a level playing field for renewable energy to move forward with reform.