|
A bill that ties permitting reform to handouts for the oil and gas and mining industries passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday with overwhelming support. The committee voted 15-4 to approve the bill, which is co-sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso. Manchin is championing the bill, after his attempt to pass permitting and grid legislation failed in 2022.
While the bill contains important and needed provisions that would help accelerate renewable energy development, such as facilitating planning and permitting for transmission lines to bring renewable energy from where it is captured to where it is needed, it is primarily a vehicle for a number of problematic and damaging extractive industry wish list items. Over 300 environmental groups have signed onto a letter opposing the legislation.
Lawmakers introduced a number of amendments but ended up withdrawing almost all of them after Manchin stressed the need to keep the legislation intact. Senator Angus King wanted to nix a portion of the bill related to LNG exports, but Barrasso said that the package had “absolutely zero” chance of advancing without that component. Senators Mazie Hirono, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden all voted against the bill, citing environmental concerns.
President Joe Biden has not yet said whether he will sign the bill if it is passed by the House.
The future of Lake Powell with Zak Podmore
In the latest episode of CWP's podcast, The Landscape, Kate talks to author Zak Podmore about his upcoming book, Life After Deadpool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River, which explores various aspects of Lake Powell’s emptying due to drought, from how to replace the loss of hydropower to how wildlife and plant life is returning to Glen Canyon as the lake recedes. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
|
Given all that we know [about climate change], the United States Congress is still considering legislation to provide a huge giveaway to big oil to drill, produce and sell more fossil fuels.”
