Manchin continues fight with EPA

Mar 17, 2023

May 12, 2023

Submitted photoSen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., says he will oppose every EPA nomination that comes before the Senate.

WHEELING – U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin terms U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's policy to eliminate fossil fuels in the coming decades "crazy" and "insane," and he says he now will oppose every EPA nomination that comes before the Senate "until they halt their government overreach."

Manchin, D-W.Va., who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, spoke his thoughts on pressuring the EPA and the Biden Administration to rethink the nation's use of coal during an online call with state reporters on Wednesday.

"They’re crazy. They’re totally insane," Manchin said of the EPA. "I can't clean this up any better than that."

He explained that, last week, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members came before the Energy Committee. They were asked whether the nation's energy grid could survive without coal in the system.

All four – two Republicans and Two Democrats – all said no, according to Manchin.

"Why can't this administration understand that ‘no’ means ‘no?'" he asked. "You’ve got to have a reliable (source of energy). Coal … runs 24-7."

Manchin added he is "for everything" when it comes to energy supply, including both coal and renewable sources.

"I’m just not for taking off what I’ve got to have because you want something we don't have and it doesn't do the job," he continued. "So if your renewables come on whenever the wind blows or the sun shines – and they don't give me 24-7 – I still have to have the horsepower and the backup to run the country. That's coal and gas, which is 60 to 70% of our energy load.

"I’ve been pleading that taking them offline before we have something to replace them is pure crazines," Manchin added. "We will do everything we can to make sure they do not jeopardize the grid system and the reliability this country needs."

Manchin noted he was so concerned about the continued availability of reliable electricity in this country that he has pledged to now oppose every EPA nominee that comes before the Senate.

"I am so concerned about the reliability of energy you need when you turn the lights on, and your furnace on and your air conditioning on … and that's in jeopardy. If this is the only way I can get their attention to know we’re not going to let this craziness happen in this country, I’ll do what I have to do. It is one of the tools a senator has that he can use.

"I’m not hiding it. I’m telegraphing it. Look at the balance that it takes. There's a group of people who don't want fossil, and they’ve got nothing to replace it with. That's all it is. You can't eliminate your way to a cleaner planet."

Manchin has put forth legislation to fix the EPA's current permitting system pertaining to the construction of coal-fired electric plants.

He explained the legislation does not eliminate the need for a hearing, but rather seeks to streamline the permitting process.

He expects his bill could be merged with others – including one from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. – to form legislation that could win a bipartisan vote in the Senate. Sixty votes would be needed to pass any permit reform legislation.

"If this doesn't get done this year, shame on all of us," Manchin said. "I’ve never seen a piece of legislation that was needed more than permitting reform, and I’ve never seen all sides of the equation understanding they need some sort of permitting reform"

No type of energy plant – whether it uses fossil fuel, renewables or a mixture – can be built quickly under the current permitting process, according to Manchin.

"You can't do anything you want done unless you can build it in seven, eight, nine or 10 years," Manchin explained. "We’ve looked at the European model, Canada and Australia – these are very environmentally conscious countries that are getting things done in a one-to-three-year timeline. There's no reason we can't."

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