Energy & Environment Senate Democrats restart energy bill negotiations by Rachel Frazin - 03/05/26 8:38 PM ET by Rachel Frazin - 03/05/26 8:38 PM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING Senate Democrats will return to the table to negotiate an energy and infrastructure bill, they announced Thursday night. “After discussions with our colleagues, we have decided to reopen negotiations on permitting reform,” said Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in a written statement. Whitehouse and Heinrich, the top Democrats on key energy and environment committees, walked away from talks late last year after the Trump administration sought to block five major offshore wind projects. Now they say they’re coming back, citing “recent developments” that they hope “are indicative of a positive direction from the Trump administration.” Recent reports have indicated that the Trump administration would consider approving several solar energy projects. Judges also gave the wind projects blocked by President Trump temporary authorization to keep building. The lawmakers stressed that they could walk away again if the Trump administration seeks to further hamstring renewable power, saying “mischief will undo our willingness to resume negotiations.” For years, Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating changes aimed at expediting approvals of energy and other infrastructure projects that they argue have been held up by lengthy federal processes. Opponents of these efforts fear that reaching a deal could come at the expense of environmental projections.  Add as preferred source on Google Tags Donald Trump Martin Heinrich Sheldon Whitehouse Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More Energy & Environment News See All Business Treasury Department to announce measures to combat rising oil prices amid Iran conflict: Report by Max Rego 4 hours ago Business  /  4 hours ago