Manchin-Barrasso energy permit bill advances to Senate floor

Bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding approvals of new energy projects advanced to the Senate floor on Wednesday.

The legislation, introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (IW.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), passed the committee with a vote of 15-4.

Lawmakers who opposed the legislation were Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

After the scoring, Marchin said the 15-4 support was “tremendously…encouraging” and told journalists, “I hope we get it done before the end of the year.”

Rep. Bruce Westerman (Ark.), a key House Republican negotiator on the issue, has expressed support for the legislation, but it remains unclear whether it would be adopted by leadership in the lower chamber.

Barrasso said on Wednesday that he spoke with members and leaders of the House and that “they will want to see what comes out of the Senate and we will have to take that to the Senate floor first.”

Manchin added that the committee’s significant support Wednesday will allow him and Barrasso to “go out there together and meet” with House leaders.

Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s markup, lawmakers agreed to work to add additional provisions to benefit hydroelectric projects following a push from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Murkowski asked for a pledge that “we will move forward this year with legislation from this committee and work to address the…licensing process for just these types of technologies.”

“You have our commitment,” Manchin responded. He later indicated that he would seek to incorporate the hydropower provisions into the licensing bill if they fell within the committee’s jurisdiction.

The Barrasso-Manchin bill contains a series of provisions aimed at bolstering several types of energy, including coal and mineral mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, and power lines.

This week, more than 360 organizations focused on climate and the environment wrote a letter opposing the bill. It has significant support from several energy industry trade groups, including those representing renewable energy.

During Wednesday’s review of the bill, Democratic opponents also raised climate concerns about provisions that would bolster fossil fuel development on public lands and reduce the time opponents of energy projects have to sue, as well as speed up the approval process for gas export projects.

“Unfortunately, there are a number of provisions in this bill that go against what I think the effort was in 2022… which is why I reluctantly have to oppose the bill in its current form,” Wyden said, referring to to the 2022 climate, tax and health law.

“Given everything we know [about climate change]the United States Congress is still considering legislation that would provide a huge offer to big oil companies to drill, produce and sell more fossil fuels,” Sanders said.

But Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who supports the bill, said its reforms aimed at helping the construction of more power lines outweigh the climate damage caused by its pro-fossil provisions.

“There are some things in this that will increase emissions,” he admitted, but provisions aimed at reinforcing electrical power lines and geothermal energy put us “on a much faster path to addressing the things that are causing droughts and wildfires.” and all kinds of problems.” stress across the country.”

On the Republican side, Hawley called for changes to provisions in the legislation aimed at reinforcing power lines.

Manchin is expected to retire from the Senate when his term ends in January. If the licensing bill is completed, it will be an important part of his legacy.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story