# Summary
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 comprehensively streamlines federal environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure and energy projects to accelerate development timelines and reduce regulatory burdens. The bill establishes strict deadlines for environmental assessments (one year) and impact statements (two years), creates a unified digital "ePERMIT" portal for project applications, and exempts numerous project categories from full environmental review, including routine repairs, small-scale activities, and projects with minimal federal funding. It strengthens project sponsors' legal protections by limiting when federal agencies can revoke existing permits, establishing damage liability for unreasonable permit delays, and shifting burdens of proof to regulatory agencies in judicial challenges. The legislation modernizes permitting for electric transmission infrastructure, oil and gas drilling, geothermal development, and offshore energy systems while protecting data center electricity costs from ratepayer cross-subsidization and expanding distributed renewable energy market access. The bill also streamlines historic preservation reviews with faster timelines and expedited judicial procedures, supports state delegation of endangered species consultation responsibilities, and provides $5 million in annual funding plus $20 million annually for permitting improvements (through 2033) and historic preservation grants through 2036. Overall, the legislation prioritizes infrastructure development speed and cost-effectiveness over extended environmental review periods while maintaining baseline environmental and cultural protections through faster, more efficient processes.