Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) today applauded the U.S. Senate’s introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653), legislation aimed at improving the federal permitting process and accelerating the development of critical energy and infrastructure projects.
“Electrical contractors are ready to meet the tremendous growth happening across our country, but we need a permitting system that allows critical projects to move forward with greater certainty and efficiency,” said Amy Biedenharn, Executive Director of IEC. “Our members are building the infrastructure that powers communities, data centers, manufacturing, and economic growth. Bipartisan permitting reform is an important step toward ensuring we can put skilled people to work and build the energy infrastructure America needs.”
America’s demand for electricity is growing at an unprecedented pace. From expanding data centers and manufacturing facilities to modernizing the electric grid and deploying new generation and transmission infrastructure, the nation needs to build more—and build faster.
Yet lengthy, unpredictable, and duplicative permitting processes can delay projects, increase costs, and make it more difficult for electrical contractors to mobilize the skilled workforce needed to meet America’s growing infrastructure demands.
The American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 represents important bipartisan progress toward a more predictable and efficient permitting system. Streamlining federal approvals can help move critical projects from planning to construction, provide greater certainty for project owners and contractors, and help ensure America has the infrastructure necessary to support economic growth.
“IEC appreciates Senators Capito, Whitehouse, Lee, and Heinrich for working across party lines to advance meaningful permitting reform legislation,” said IEC government affairs spokesman Ben Brubeck, Principal and CEO of Government Affairs Solutions. “Congress must build on this bipartisan progress when it returns from recess in November and send comprehensive permitting reform legislation to President Trump’s desk this year.”
“IEC’s 4,500 electrical contractor companies, their skilled employees, and 23,000 apprentices enrolled in IEC programs stand ready to build,” said Biedenharn. “IEC urges Congress to advance permitting reforms that accelerate infrastructure development, strengthen the electric grid, support the skilled construction workforce, and help America meet the enormous energy demands of a rapidly changing economy.”