CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A proposal addressing the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline and permitting for energy projects has yet to be put into legislative text, but the plan is already facing pushback from Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced Thursday he would vote against a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open if the energy proposal is included in the measure. More than four dozen House of Representatives members additionally oppose the idea.
The debate stems from an agreement between Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Democratic leaders about taking up permitting changes following Congress’ August recess. The deal was part of the effort to get the Inflation Reduction Act to President Joe Biden’s desk.
The opposition also comes before Congress begins consideration of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government. Lawmakers have to approve such a measure before the month’s end to avoid a government shutdown.
According to Manchin’s office, the plan’s provisions would allow the president to designate high-priority energy infrastructure projects, establish limitations on legal challenges, and set maximum timelines for “major projects” to two years and “lower-impact projects” to one year.
It also calls on parties to take the necessary steps for completing the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a 303-mile system capable of transporting natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. The project is 94% finished, but it has been hampered by legal challenges. The proposal would direct all future litigation to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sanders, speaking on the Senate floor, said the United States needs to be a leader in addressing climate change rather than taking up permitting changes.
“Given all that the scientists are telling us, what is the United States Congress about to do?” he said. “The United States Congress is seriously considering legislation to provide a huge giveaway to the fossil fuel industry to drill, produce and sell more oil and gas.”
Sanders questioned the “kind of message” passing such legislation would send to Americans and other countries amid international concerns related to climate change and the environment.
Sanders mentioned “at least 59” progressive House members will soon publish a letter opposing permitting changes, setting doubts on if the resolution can pass in a chamber with an eight-seat Democratic majority. Sanders read a portion of the letter, in which the legislators described the plan as “a series of anti-environmental and anti-environmental justice provisions.”
“We have got to have the courage to finally tell the fossil fuel industry that the future of this planet is more important than their short-term profits,” Sanders stated for himself.
During a roundtable event last month, West Virginia’s senior senator said the Mountain Valley Pipeline and permitting changes would be part of the continuing resolution, adding “let’s see how that politics plays out” regarding a possible government shutdown.
Manchin told reporters he expected Sanders would oppose putting permitting changes in the continuing resolution.
“We need energy security. We’ve always needed energy security,” Manchin said. “This is the most balanced bill, and when you have the far left or the far right that are opposed for different reasons, maybe we’ve hit a sweet spot here. Because we’ve tried to find out how do we take care of the energy needs we have today and be able to invest in the energy needs we have in the future, and we’ve done that.”
The Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in August, includes billions of dollars for reducing emissions at fossil fuel facilities in addition to tax credits for electric vehicles and energy efficiency upgrades. Clean energy companies would be eligible for tax credits for establishing operations in areas affected by coal’s downturn.
“There was never a side deal,” Manchin continued. “It was one; basically, how do we have an energy policy that works? Permitting was always part of that.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., pushed for the Senate to consider permitting changes before taking up the Inflation Reduction Act. The Senate did not pass a related amendment before taking up the domestic policy plan.
“I support completing the MVP pipeline and have worked with Sen. Manchin and others to try to get it into all kinds of different vehicles to get it completed,” she told reporters Thursday.
“We don’t know what his permitting bill is. We haven’t seen the language. I think there’s going to be a lot of opposition to pushing it onto a must-pass bill like the continuing resolution.”
According to Capito, Manchin should have the legislative text ready by Sept. 15.
“I can certainly say I am for permitting reform,” she added.
Sanders serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee. Manchin is the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Capito is the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated Wednesday that permitting changes will be part of the continuing resolution.