Manchin, Barrasso reach permitting deal (2024)

The bill takes on a suite of issues known collectively as permitting reform. It is expected to bolster the buildout of both renewable and fossil fuel energy sources.

• Passing a permitting reform bill has been a long-time priority of Manchin’s and is expected to be considered a legacy issue for him after he departs the Senate next year.
• It’s not immediately clear whether party leaders have bought into the plan, if it will be brought to the floor, or if it will garner enough votes to evade a filibuster.

The legislation includes a key Democratic priority: Improving the nation’s ability to build out power lines. Doing so would likely help more renewable energy plug into the nation’s electric grid.

It does so by shortening the process to allow federal energy regulators to approve new power lines.

The bill also contains provisions that boost fossil fuels.

For one, it would require the Energy Department to make a decision within 90 days on whether to approve or reject a gas export project — effectively barring policies like President Biden’s now-stalledpause on gas export approvals.

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.

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• The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisherieswill hold a legislative hearingon12 pieces of pending legislation.

• The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold ahearingonthree pieces of pending legislation.

• The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials will hold a hearingtitled “Examining the State of Rail Safety in the Aftermath of the Derailment in East Palestine Ohio.” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy is scheduled to testify.

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