In a last-ditch attempt to fortify his legacy, retiring Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin on Monday released permitting legislation stuffed with Republican priorities that were quickly endorsed by the oil, gas and coal lobbies.
The “Energy Permitting Reform Act,” which was cosponsored by ENR ranking member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), seeks to ease environmental reviews for solar, wind and other renewable projects in ways that the oil and gas industry has long enjoyed.
It would also mandate onshore oil and gas lease sales on areas nominated by the industry. And it would lift a pause on liquefied natural gas export approvals.
Dan Naatz, chief operating officer at the Independent Petroleum Association of America, said the bill would “improve coordination, reduce permitting wait times, remove the LNG export ban and restore certainty to the Gulf of Mexico leasing process.”
