Granholm Urges Faster Permitting for Energy Projects Amid Political and Tribal Concerns

Granholm warned in an interview this week that President Trump's actions against renewable energy could drive Democrats away from negotiations on permitting legislation. Granholm, a former Michigan governor who served as energy secretary under President Biden, is an influential Democratic voice on energy policy. Granholm urged an end to those actions if the administration wants permitting reform. However, Granholm also urged Democrats to approve the bill despite the bill's shortcomings. Granholm questioned whether Democrats could secure a better agreement and noted that legislation still needs a presidential signature over the next two years.

The bipartisan proposal, introduced on September 30, would simplify construction of energy projects and power lines. The legislation would also help reduce the backlog of projects awaiting connections to the electricity grid. Supporters in both parties, including Granholm, want passage after the midterm elections but before the incoming Congress takes office. Some Democrats have suggested postponing action until next year, depending on the election outcome.

The AI boom is sharply increasing electricity demand, making a permitting agreement that could accelerate construction of US power infrastructure more consequential. Granholm warned that without quicker permitting, more technology companies could intensify efforts to build natural gas power plants instead of connecting to the grid. Granholm expressed serious concern that those projects would be built. Granholm argued that the United States urgently needs additional electricity infrastructure. Granholm said faster permitting would help clean energy because clean energy projects are often less expensive and quicker to build. Granholm acknowledged that the legislation could also speed fossil fuel development but argued that clean energy wins under equal competitive conditions.

Opposition and additional demands are increasing before a planned Senate vote next month. Four Senate Democrats want Trump to start restoring billions of dollars in clean energy grants before any vote on the agreement. A Tuesday advisory said Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, is hosting a virtual press conference Wednesday with local and Indigenous organizations. The advisory said the participants would warn that the bill would entrench fossil fuel pollution, speed data center expansion, suppress community participation and harm people and the planet across generations. However, billionaire Tom Steyer, a supporter of progressive climate causes, endorsed the legislation on Tuesday.

Granholm identified Native American tribal nations' concerns as a reason to improve the bill. Granholm urged lawmakers to listen to tribal governments and improve the legislation when opportunities arise. Granholm did not suggest that those improvements should delay the legislative process. The Native American Rights Fund, a nonprofit legal organization representing American Tribal Nations, said the organization opposes the bill. In an October 20 statement, the group argued that the bill substantially reduces tribes' opportunities to participate as sovereign governments. The group said the legislation also limits tribal consultation requirements and access to legal remedies in court. The bill's sponsors say tribes would retain the ability to take part in formal consultations.

The White House did not immediately answer a request for comment on Granholm's remarks or Tribal Nations' opposition. Earlier this week, a White House official responded to Senate Democrats' separate demand to restore grant funding without directly addressing that demand. The official said the legislation was ready for a vote. The official also said the administration was approving additional onshore wind farms delayed by military reviews.

The Senate has scheduled the first procedural vote for November 9, less than a week after the midterm elections. The schedule allows little time to settle the growing disagreements.