manchin
Manchin and Barrasso's energy bill offers a complex trade-off
Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso's new energy bill proposes speeding up permits for renewable energy transmission but requires concessions for fossil fuel projects.
In short:
- President Biden's climate agenda emphasizes infrastructure subsidies to support clean energy projects, but these face delays due to lengthy permitting processes.
- Manchin and Barrasso's bill aims to simplify the approval of new power lines while easing fossil fuel project permits, sparking concerns among environmental groups.
- The bill's success depends on bipartisan support, weighing climate benefits against increased fossil fuel infrastructure.
Key quote:
“This bill does not need to sacrifice anyone. In fact, it should sacrifice no one and serve everyone.”
— Jasmine Jennings, senior legislative counsel at Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Balancing the need for clean energy infrastructure with fossil fuel interests is a significant challenge in the U.S. energy transition. The proposed bill highlights the difficulty of achieving bipartisan support while addressing environmental concerns.
In West Virginia, the Senate race outcome may change the trajectory of US climate policy
Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement could shift West Virginia's influence on U.S. climate policy, with the upcoming Senate race set to determine whether the state continues to bolster fossil fuels or embrace clean energy.
James Bruggers and Marianne Lavelle report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Sen. Joe Manchin, a pivotal figure in U.S. climate policy, will retire, impacting future climate action.
- The race to fill his seat sees Republican Gov. Jim Justice, a fossil fuel supporter, leading against Democrat Glenn Elliott, who advocates for climate action.
- West Virginia has historically influenced national energy policy, often resisting robust climate initiatives.
Key quote:
"I truly believe with all my heart that God wants us to progress and like it or not, civilization only progresses with abundant cheap energy."
— Jim Justice, Governor of West Virginia
Why this matters:
The impending election will be a battleground for energy policy, with candidates likely to diverge sharply on their approaches to climate change. The outcome could determine whether West Virginia continues its legacy of coal and natural gas production or shifts towards embracing clean energy solutions. This transition is not just a political issue but one that deeply affects the state's economy and the livelihood of its residents, many of whom rely on the fossil fuel industry for jobs.
Manchin's energy legacy leaves WV environmentalists frustrated, fossil fuel industry pleased
Before he numbered his days in the U.S. Senate last week, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., spent the morning chairing a hearing on abandoned coal mine land reclamation economic revitalization programs.
Manchin says Biden broke climate deal. Others say ‘there was no such agreement’
E.P.A. proposes first limits on climate pollution from existing power plants
Biden’s climate tax breaks are popular, driving up law’s cost
Manchin’s permitting reform could lead to more oil spills like Keystone’s, safety experts warn
Crews continued to clean up the blackened banks of a northern Kansas creek Tuesday morning after a rupture in the Keystone pipeline last week released an estimated 588,000 gallons of Canadian crude—enough oil to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.