Oil Change International Responds to Senate’s Vote to Advance Trump-Backed BAAJA

In response to the Senate’s vote to advance the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), Oil Change International Executive Director Elizabeth Bast says:

“The Senate’s supporters of BAAJA just cleared an initial hurdle towards offering Big Oil and Big Tech a massive giveaway at the expense of our clean air, clean water, and communities’ right to protect themselves from polluting projects. Just days after voters demanded accountability and relief from soaring costs, 73 senators chose Trump’s energy policies over the American people.

“These senators voted to advance BAAJA in the face of rising opposition from Tribal Nations, climate leaders, communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel projects, and members of Congress. Just today, Tribal leaders and members of Congress rallied against the bill in Washington D.C.

“We thank the 25 senators who listened to the American people’s clear demands for corporate accountability and policies that meaningfully address economic justice and the climate crisis.

“Trump’s policies unleashing gas expansion for energy-hungry data centers and LNG exports, as well as his attacks on affordable renewable energy, have made households’ electricity bills soar. BAAJA will only accelerate the buildout of gas projects that drive up families’ energy costs.[1]

“Through its project certainty provisions, rollbacks to State and Tribal authority over clean water, and the gutting of key environmental protections, this bill accelerates this unprecedented gas buildout already underway. BAAJA would make it virtually impossible for communities to challenge fossil fuel projects that threaten their lands, waters, air, and our climate.[2]

“BAAJA is not a compromise – it’s exactly what the fossil fuel industry wants. We urge senators to wait until the incoming Congress is sworn in to consider policies that truly support renewable energy.

Notes to the editor: 

[1] A massive gas buildout is already underway: 370 GW of gas power capacity is in development, with over 180 GW directly linked to data centers, while over 10,000 miles of gas pipeline is also planned or already under construction.

[2] The bill’s proponents’ own modeling shows that BAAJA’s transmission provisions would have no discernible benefit to our climate, while unlocking unprecedented fossil fuel development. At best, BAAJA leaves U.S. emissions over 2.1 billion tons short in 2040 of even a modest climate goal.