Wirelines
Permitting reform under consideration in US Senate
On 30 September, the American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 was introduced in the US Senate. It is a comprehensive permitting reform package aimed at accelerating approvals for energy, infrastructure, transmission, mining, manufacturing and other major projects.
The bill seeks to address long-standing concerns that federal permitting and environmental review processes have become increasingly complex, unpredictable and vulnerable to litigation. To accelerate project development, the legislation establishes new permitting deadlines, expands categorical exclusions, streamlines agency coordination, shortens the statute of limitations and creates additional protections for previously approved projects.
Senate leaders are expected to pursue floor consideration in November. If approved, the US House is expected to vote on the bill shortly thereafter.
Yet another delay proposed for EU methane regulation
Facing high energy prices in several countries this winter, on 13 October the European Commission proposed another postponement of the implementation of key import-related rules under the European Union (EU) Methane Regulation.
The postponed amendment concerns the monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for natural gas, oil and coal importers. It also concerns provisions related to the reporting on methane-intensity requirements for both importers to and producers within the EU. This new proposal follows the EU’s recommendations made in July for the suspension of financial penalties for oil and gas companies that breach the import-related methane reporting rules.
The rules were intended to place obligations on importers of oil, gas and coal to the EU to demonstrate that their overseas suppliers meet EU-equivalent monitoring, reporting and verification standards. Under the original timeline, importers were to have until 31 May 2028 to formally prove that all fossil fuel shipments imported throughout 2027 were compliant. The delay would pause this deadline until 31 May 2029.
The European Commission said this one-year postponement is designed to help alleviate additional pressures on the security of supply of imported fossil fuels in the wake of the Iranian conflict and the Ukraine war, both of which have impacted energy supply to the EU. It noted that the action is considered necessary given the ongoing uncertainty over how long and severe the Middle East supply shock will be.
The proposal will next head to a vote in the European Parliament. As of 15 October, that date had not been scheduled, but it is expected to take place by the end of 2026.
