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More than 300 solar and storage companies urge Congress to pass bipartisan permitting reform

Author : solar bazaar | Published On : 11 Nov 2026

More than 300 solar and energy storage companies across the United States have sent a joint letter to Congressional leadership urging the immediate passage of landmark bipartisan permitting reform legislation: the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA).

Organized by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the coalition emphasizes that streamlining federal environmental reviews and accelerating grid interconnection is essential to meet surging U.S. power demand while lowering energy costs for consumers.

1. Core Legislative Focus: BAAJA

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act seeks to overhaul modern infrastructure approval processes that have historically delayed major clean energy and grid projects:

  • Streamlined Review Timelines: Modernizes outdated federal frameworks under NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act to establish clear deadlines and eliminate redundant agency delays.

  • Interstate Transmission Expansion: Grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) federal backstop authority to approve vital long-distance, high-voltage transmission lines required to bring utility-scale renewables to market.

  • Lowering Energy Costs: Responds directly to voter demand for reduced power bills by enabling faster deployment of low-cost solar and battery storage systems.

2. Projected Industry & Economic Impact

According to new market analysis released alongside the industry letter, passing BAAJA would unlock massive clean energy growth:

  • 167 GW Capacity Unlock: Could enable an additional 167 GW of solar capacity deployment between 2028 and 2035.

  • 18% Solar Power Share: Would drive solar energy to account for more than 18% of total U.S. electricity generation by 2035.

  • Emissions & Health Benefits: Projected to reduce cumulative power-sector $CO_2$ emissions by roughly 20% while avoiding $54 billion in public health damages tied to fossil generation.

3. Momentum in Congress

The industry statement comes as the U.S. Senate advanced the bill through its initial procedural vote (73-25). With bipartisan support building in the current legislative session, renewable energy developers and utility-scale operators are pushing lawmakers to finalize the bill before end-of-year deadlines.