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I know, I know. The wordplay is far from original— in fact, I’ve already seen the joke so many times that one may wonder if Taco Bell and PepsiCo are getting a cut— but the headline really insists on itself. Anytime you can spin a clunky acronym for a piece of legislation into a reference to a critically-acclaimed tropical lime soda, you do it.
As you may have heard when its language first hit the internet last week, that bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act (BAAJA, get it?), is a pretty big deal. Its long-awaited 417 pages contain the most meaningful permitting reforms in U.S. history, aimed at accelerating speed-to-power as electricity demand increases nationwide. Highlights include support for interregional transmission, permitting certainty, changes that expedite environmental reviews, fixes for certain hydroelectric projects, wins for geothermal, ratepayer protections, and so much more. It would expand Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s role in transmission siting and planning, boost grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), reform interconnection processes, and establish special cost-allocation rules for data centers.
In total, if passed, BAAJA would fundamentally alter how we plan, site, and build electric infrastructure. The interregional transmission portion is particularly interesting, considering such projects have been mostly pipe dreams under the Current Way of Doing Things. The legislation would require regions to plan together; if they chose shared high-voltage lines in that process, BAAJA would give those projects special treatment. Should states attempt to intercede, FERC can step in. BAAJA would also provide a common cost-allocation method, the industry’s white whale.
Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico believes the bill will put more energy on the grid, create good-paying jobs, and lower electricity costs for families and businesses.
“As data centers drive demand for more power, it will ensure they pay their fair share of the grid upgrades they require — not leave that bill to American families,” he added.
BAAJA won’t come up for a vote until after the midterms, if it is voted on at all. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is confident it will pass in a lame-duck session in November, however, citing its bipartisan support and backing from business and environmental groups.
“We once built projects like the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building in years, not decades,” said Lee. “America still has the resources and the talent, but what too often stands in the way is a permitting system that takes too long and costs too much.”
Can a BAAJA blast quench America’s thirst for energy? Not everyone loves the flavor, but it sounds like a refreshing start.
Hello and welcome to the Factor This Brief, a weekly collection of energy industry finance and development updates, delivered straight to your inbox on Monday mornings and hosted in a not-so-brief fashion here on Factor This, featuring the people, projects, and technology driving our electric future.
Thanks for checking it out. If you like what you see here or want to recommend a story for next week, drop me a line. As always, here’s a tune for the road ahead- and when the rubber meets the road, may your tires retain their tread.
Global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction (EPC) company Black & Veatch has successfully completed Three W Solar, a 150 MWdc (110 MWac) utility-scale generation facility developed for Mitsui & Co. in ERCOT territory.
Located on approximately 875 acres near Hillsboro, Texas, Three W is Mitsui’s first utility-scale solar project in the U.S. and represents a significant milestone in the company’s renewable energy strategy. Black & Veatch served as the EPC contractor, delivering the solar generation facility and associated collector substation infrastructure.
The project, which can power up to 45,000 homes, has achieved substantial completion and received ERCOT approval, the final hurdle to interconnection to the Texas power grid. This final step also enables the final turnover to Mitsui’s operations and maintenance organization.
“Achieving this milestone means a more resilient power grid for communities in Texas, and we are proud to be part of the next stage of renewable energy in the region,” said senior vice president and divisional operating officer Shinya Umehara of Mitsui & Co. “This represents a commitment to the communities in Texas looking at the future energy demands and the innovative response to the needs these demands present.”
“Three W Solar demonstrates how strategic investment in renewable generation can create long-term value for both energy providers and the communities they serve,” added Arron Lewis, renewables solution leader for Black & Veatch.
Japan’s Mitsui & Co. is expanding its global energy portfolio, which now exceeds 3.2 gigawatts (GW). While Three TW is its first solo solar operation, the company operates San Francisco-based Forefront Power, which delivers solar and storage solutions across 23 states. Mitsui & Co is also invested in platforms like Renew India, holds a major stake in Brazil’s Jirau hydropower project, and is co-developing the Hai Long offshore wind site in Taiwan.
Private clean energy development, advisory and investment company TurningPoint Energy (TPE) has cut the ribbon on a new 2.1 MWac community solar project near Sandhill Fields in Georgetown, Delaware, the third to come online as part of a previously announced 30 MWdc portfolio in the First State.
The Georgetown community solar facility features more than 5,600 solar panels across approximately 17 fenced acres and is expected to generate about 5.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually for the Delmarva Power grid. The project is fully subscribed to more than 560 residential customers, including 121 low-income households through Delaware’s low-income community solar program.
The new 2.1 MWac community solar facility in Georgetown, Delaware. Courtesy: TurningPoint Energy
TPE developed the Georgetown site, and Nautilus Solar Energy, TPE’s partner in the aforementioned portfolio, owns and operates it. Together, the six-project, 30 MWdc slate represents one of the largest community solar investments in Delaware. The companies brought their first project online in Georgetown in June 2025 and their second in Dover in July 2026. Once fully operational, the six-project portfolio is expected to deliver nearly $35 million in energy savings to Delaware residents and businesses.
“Delaware continues to face growing demand for reliable, locally generated energy,” said Salar Naini, President of TPE. “We’re proud to have developed the Georgetown project as part of a broader portfolio that expands community solar opportunities, strengthens the state’s energy infrastructure, and supports Delaware’s long-term renewable energy goals.”
Beyond energy infrastructure investment, TPE and Nautilus have committed a combined $240,000 through the six-project portfolio to Delaware nonprofit organizations focused on housing stability, food access, youth development, and workforce readiness. Recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and Springboard Delaware.
Independent energy infrastructure firm Lydian Energy has closed on a $300 million holding company credit facility with asset management company Infranity. The facility will provide capital for the development, construction, acquisition, and operation of Lydian’s expanding portfolio of utility-scale battery energy storage systems and solar renewable energy projects backed by Excelsior Energy Capital.
The Washington, D.C.-based Lydian will now have additional flexibility to accelerate the buildout of its pipeline by leveraging the value of its existing projects, the company says. The financing strengthens its ability to advance projects from development through construction while retaining ownership of operating assets that can generate long-term stakeholder value. The $300M is also expected to help Lydian to capitalize on rising power demand and renewable energy incentives as grid modernization and electrification continue to accelerate across the United States.
“Closing this facility is an important milestone for Lydian. Infranity structured a bespoke solution that lets us leverage the value in our operating and construction-ready assets to accelerate the next stage of our pipeline,” said Emre Ersenkal, CEO of Lydian. “We’re proud to partner with a lender that took the time to understand how we build and operate, and we look forward to delivering the reliable energy infrastructure our markets need.”
Founded in 2023, Lydian has assembled a portfolio spanning 6 GW of operating, construction-ready, and development-stage projects in the U.S.
Akin Gump provided legal counsel to Lydian Energy. Eversheds Sutherland provided legal counsel to Infranity.
Multi-technology independent power producer Ørsted has started construction on Blackwater Solar, a 200 MW solar farm in Roosevelt County, New Mexico. It is the company’s first project in the state.
Located between Portales and Clovis, Blackwater Solar will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 56,000 homes annually within Southwest Power Pool (SPP) territory. The project is backed by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) that will help meet New Mexico’s growing industrial electricity demand.
Ørsted sourced solar panels for the project from domestic manufacturer First Solar, supporting American energy production and manufacturing. The project is expected to reach commercial operations date in late 2027.
“Blackwater Solar marks an exciting first chapter for Ørsted in New Mexico,” said Melissa Peterson, president of Americas Onshore at Ørsted. “Blackwater Solar will generate affordable, homegrown energy while creating long-term benefits for the local area. We are honored to make our first investment in the state and look forward to being a dedicated partner to the Roosevelt County community for years to come.”
As part of its commitment to being a responsible community partner and steward of the land where it operates, Ørsted is contributing $100,000 to Playa Lakes Joint Venture to restore wetlands near Melrose, New Mexico. The project will help conserve an 8.8-acre playa, a natural resource that is important to the region’s wildlife and water resources. This effort builds on Ørsted’s previous partnership with PLJV in West Texas, where the company’s support helped restore more than 700 acres of playa habitat across five counties. Eastern New Mexico is home to more than 2,100 playas, which serve as important water resources and wildlife habitat across the region.
Blackwater Solar is also expected to contribute nearly $18 million in property tax revenue to Roosevelt County over its operating life, helping support local schools, infrastructure, first responders, and other public resources.
Ørsted’s Americas Onshore business includes over 6 GW of wind, solar, and battery storage capacity operating across eight states. 

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