The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved broad permitting and grid development legislation 15-4 Wednesday morning.
Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) exuded joy after the bill passed. It could become the capstone of the retiring senator’s congressional career.
“We’ve never had this before — having a markup with this kind of support,” Manchin told reporters after the vote. “This has been a tremendous day for all of us.”
Manchin has for nearly two years worked on the legislation with ranking member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) after previous permitting and grid legislation failed in 2022.
The latest package is more modest. Manchin and Barrasso said they took input from numerous lawmakers and that nobody got everything they wanted.
S. 4753 contains a potpourri of provisions: faster permits for renewable energy projects, requirements for oil and gas lease sales that align with industry demands, and timing limits for Department of Energy liquefied natural gas export approvals. When it comes to the grid, the bill tries to address bipartisan concerns on siting and cost considerations.
Lawmakers introduced but later withdrew a host of amendments, with Manchin stressing the need to keep the legislation as intact as possible. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) got one passed related to forest health.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) offered a number of amendments related to hydropower. Manchin promised to work with her on addressing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approvals.
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) wanted to nix a portion of the bill related to LNG exports, but Barrasso said that the package had “absolutely zero” chance of advancing without that component.
Environmental groups have already lined up to kill the bill. It’s unclear exactly where the White House comes down, even as top climate advisers have stressed the need for permitting changes and grid upgrades to realize the Inflation Reduction Act’s benefits.
Asked about the White House’s position, Manchin said he’s talked “briefly to them.”
“We got some input, not intensely because we had to get through this process first,” he said. “They will engage now.”
Opponents included Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) — all allies of the environmental community.
“I reluctantly have to oppose the bill in its present form,” Wyden said, adding that several of the oil and gas provisions run contrary to the spirit of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was the lone Republican “no” vote. He has complained about making it easier to build power lines through rural communities.
