NAACP Condemns Senate Advancement of the BAAJA Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, members of the Senate advanced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA) Bill which is aimed at expediting permitting reviews to power big energy projects like data centers. The NAACP raised concerns about the bill earlier this month, emphasizing the potential implications that the legislation could have on Black communities and others already facing disproportionate exposure to pollution.
Abre' Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, shared the following statement:
"Let's be clear–naming a piece of proposed legislation 'Bipartisan' doesn't actually make it good for the American people. Senate leaders should be prioritizing what's best for their constituents, not what appeases their colleagues across the aisle."
"The NAACP strongly opposes BAAJA because we should not rush through a decision that directly threatens the health, safety, and future of Black and frontline communities. This bill puts our community and our planet's health in the hands of billionaires and their interests. We refuse to let our future be determined by corporate polluters and people who seem more aligned with them than people who live in sacrifice zones."
"A more just approach to permitting requires building from the ground up with community protection at its core, a foundation that BAAJA fundamentally lacks in any form. The NAACP calls for legislation that protects our neighborhoods and preserves our power to hold polluters accountable, not legislation that shields them."
The NAACP will continue to fight against any harm to our environment and our communities. For more information about our stance against BAAJA, visit our website.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.
