The Manchin Show: Scrambled alliances

Presented by National Clean Energy Week: Your guide to the political forces shaping the energy transformation

Sep 22, 2022 View in browser   By Arianna Skibell Presented by National Clean Energy Week Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol. | Francis Chung/EENews Sen. Joe Manchin's new permitting bill includes something for everyone … to hate. The West Virginia Democrat's long-awaited proposal , which he released late Wednesday, offers an expedited timeline for permitting all types of critical energy infrastructure and would accelerate the approval of some specific fossil fuel projects. It would remove significant hurdles to adding wind and solar power to the nation's grid while also limiting the scope of environmental reviews under the Clean Water Act. In other words, it's chock-full of provisions that have made political enemies of friends and friends of political foes. Democratic leaders promised Manchin they would advance his permitting priorities in exchange for his crucial backing of President Joe Biden's new climate law. But gathering support for the senator's measure is likely to prove an uphill battle. Clean energy provisions The bill would make it much easier for the country to add wind and solar power to the grid. Currently, getting approval for long-range power lines that can move energy from remote areas to population centers — a major hurdle for clean power — is a long, arduous process that has a history of failure. That has made the bill popular among clean energy developers, a number of Democratic lawmakers and the White House. But that section is a deal-breaker for many conservatives who say it could override state-level opposition to a proposed project. Republican lawmakers are not alone in their opposition. Progressives and many environmental groups are against it too. Fossil fuel wish list  That's because the bill would neuter two tools environmentalists rely on to stall, and sometimes tank, fossil fuel projects. Proposed amendments to the Clean Water Act would make it harder for states and tribes to assess projects, and the bill limits reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. The measure would also expedite offshore oil leases, drawing the ire of progressives and environmentalists who say the proposal amounts to a fossil fuel wish list. The provision that has garnered perhaps the most vocal opposition is a mandate for agencies to approve the contentious Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline project from West Virginia to Virginia. Moderate Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told reporters that was a deal-breaker for him. The odds of advancing  Manchin told reporters last week that he needs 20 Republican votes for the measure to pass. But members of the party have remained tepid, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the bill "weak, reform-in-name-only legislation." Democratic leaders had planned to attach the proposal to a spending bill that lawmakers must pass by Sept. 30 to keep the government from shutting down, but they may consider them separately. Eighty House progressives have said they would vote down the spending measure if it includes Manchin's plan.   It's Thursday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell.  Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@eenews.net. Listen to today's POLITICO Energy podcast Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Alex Guillén breaks down why the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol received support from both sides of the Senate aisle and how this move builds upon previous congressional action. Trends Atlas EV Hub General Motors is bouncing back after a series of recalls of its electric Chevy Bolt last year, according to new data from Atlas Public Policy, an EV advisory group. This July marked GM strongest month since May 2021. The company recalled more than 100,000 Chevy Bolts worldwide after a series of battery fires in 2020. Power Centers Members of the Mississippi National Guard hand out bottled water in Jackson, Miss. | Brad Vest/Getty Images Jackson water crisis Bipartisan leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee said they intend to bring Mississippi's Republican leaders in for questioning about whether the city of Jackson was underfunded and if that fueled the city's water crisis, writes Hannah Northey. "How does a city that size not get the funding that is sent to the state on a routine basis to shore up its system? How do the leaders let that happen?" said Rep. John Katko of New York, the committee's top Republican. Garden State wind turbines New Jersey plans to build more offshore wind than any other East Coast state, with a new target of developing 11 gigawatts by 2040, writes David Iaconangelo. The new goal is a nearly 50 percent increase over the state's previous target of developing 7.5 GW by 2035, which would power about 3.2 million homes. Frack that gas The U.K. government formally lifted a ban on fracking for shale gas in England, citing Russia's war on Ukraine as justification, writes Charlie Cooper. A moratorium on shale gas production has been in place since 2019, amid concerns about minor earthquakes. But new Prime Minister Liz Truss has placed an emphasis on energy security, pushing for the U.K. to exploit more of its remaining fossil fuel reserves.   A message from National Clean Energy Week: Save the date for the 6th annual National Clean Energy Week (NCEW), September 26-30! NCEW celebrates the policies, industries, and innovations that power our daily lives while reducing emissions. Ready to join the national clean energy conversation? REGISTER for the VIRTUAL Policy Makers Symposium on September 27-29! Join us to hear from legislators, industry leaders, and clean energy advocates alike! Thanks to NCEW sponsors, registration is 100% FREE for all attendees! Register for FREE here.   In Other News Firefighters battle flames from the Mosquito Fire in Ramsey Crossing, Calif. | Eric Thayer/Getty Images Impacts: California is so hot and dry that not even soaking rain can ease fall fire peril. 'We will all die if we continue like this' — Indigenous people are pushing the U.N. for climate justice. Question Corner The science, policy and politics driving the energy transition can feel miles away. But we're all affected on an individual and communal level — from hotter days and higher gas prices to home insurance rates and food supply. Want to know more? Send me your questions and I'll get you answers.   A message from National Clean Energy Week:   Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. A spinning turbine from Dominion Energy's pilot offshore wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach. | Francis Chung/E&E News Nova Scotia announced plans to join a potential offshore wind boom taking shape to its south, along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Rep. Raúl Grijalva is pressing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to force water delivery cuts from the Colorado River in a bid to prevent a massive water and power crisis. California is poised to take a major step toward becoming the first state to effectively outlaw natural gas-powered furnaces and water heaters. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.   A message from National Clean Energy Week: Are you ready to join the national clean energy conversation? Save the date for the 6th annual National Clean Energy Week (NCEW), September 26-30 and REGISTER for the VIRTUAL Policy Makers Symposium on September 27-29! Tune in to hear from legislators, industry leaders, and clean energy advocates like YOU— thanks to NCEW sponsors, registration is 100% completely FREE for all attendees! NCEW is a weeklong celebration of the policies, industries, and innovations that power our daily lives while reducing emissions. Join us to recognize what an all-of-the-above clean energy future can bring: American energy independence, economic prosperity, & a healthier climate. Register for FREE here.     Follow us on Twitter Arianna Skibell @ariannaskibell   Follow us

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