Democrats, take the bill

On the table is legislation that would reduce energy prices

In his election night victory speech, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York said he and his fellow Democrats would fight to “make this country affordable for every single American.” They have an opportunity to start now, before they take control of Congress in January. They should seize it.

The Senate this week is debating a bill on a subject that is more important than it sounds: permitting reform. The bill would make it easier to build  solar energy farms, battery storage, power lines and more. As a result, it would reduce energy prices. The status quo is expensive, dirty and unstable. The country needs to build a lot of big, new things to make its future cheaper and cleaner.

The bill has the support of some of the Senate’s most environmentally minded members — and of the White House. This political miracle reflects years of bipartisan negotiations, false starts and near misses. But following their party’s whopping midterm victory, some Democrats are tempted to scrap this legislation and wait to act until they take control of Congress next year. Democrats would then draft a new bill more to the liking of some environmental groups.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Username or Email Address

Password

Remember Me

View subscription options