Manchin and Barrasso's energy bill offers a complex trade-off

Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso's new energy bill proposes speeding up permits for renewable energy transmission but requires concessions for fossil fuel projects.

Lylla Younes and Gautama Mehta report for Grist.

In short:

• President Biden's climate agenda emphasizes infrastructure subsidies to support clean energy projects, but these face delays due to lengthy permitting processes.
• Manchin and Barrasso's bill aims to simplify the approval of new power lines while easing fossil fuel project permits, sparking concerns among environmental groups.
• The bill's success depends on bipartisan support, weighing climate benefits against increased fossil fuel infrastructure.

Key quote:

“This bill does not need to sacrifice anyone. In fact, it should sacrifice no one and serve everyone.”

— Jasmine Jennings, senior legislative counsel at Earthjustice

Why this matters:

Balancing the need for clean energy infrastructure with fossil fuel interests is a significant challenge in the U.S. energy transition. The proposed bill highlights the difficulty of achieving bipartisan support while addressing environmental concerns.