NEWS: As a federal permitting deal nears the finish line, ratepayer protections have hit a speedbump.

The momentum: Senators said they’re close to wrapping up a bipartisan agreement that would streamline permitting for generation and transmission projects. It could come together in the coming weeks. And if not? Negotiations might not resume until after the November elections. 

The holdup: Last week, the House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act with an overwhelming majority—but now, it has run into a roadblock in the Senate. Democrats, especially Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, want a bill with more bite (beyond “voluntary pledges, or suggestions to states,” Heinrich said).