Democrats Wary on Permitting Talks Because of Trump ‘Mischief’

Senate Democrats Tuesday poured cold water on the idea that the chamber could move to a permitting overhaul soon, citing continued wariness over President Donald Trump’s targeting of renewable energy projects.

While bipartisan Senate discussions on permitting recently have resumed, senators are “not close enough” on releasing consensus legislation, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said Tuesday when asked if a legislative draft was imminent. Heinrich is the top Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) earlier Tuesday and last week told reporters he wanted to tackle overhauling the energy and infrastructure permitting process during ...