CAC: “Permitting Reform” Bill is One Step Forward, Three Steps Back
Washington, DC – Last week, Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso unveiled a permitting reform bill that would make important improvements to the construction of a stronger power grid, while also making massive concessions to fossil fuel interests by weakening bedrock environmental protections, opening up federal lands and waters to more leasing and drilling, and greenlighting harmful pollution from new LNG export facilities. Ahead of a committee markup of this misguided legislation, Margie Alt, Director of the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), issued the following statement:
“This legislation is one-step forward, three steps back. Although this proposal includes important steps to improve transmission and strengthen the electric grid, it aims to open up federal lands and waters to more leasing and drilling, increases harmful pollution from new, unnecessary LNG exports, and guts core environmental protections. We need to make it easier to bring renewable energy to all Americans. What we do not need are more handouts to fossil fuel interests that would lock in harmful pollution for decades. Congress should reject this proposal and enact real transmission improvements that will unlock clean energy and lower costs for consumers. ”
About the Climate Action Campaign
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition of advocacy organizations working together to drive ambitious, durable federal action to cut carbon pollution, address the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Our goal is to reduce carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy through policies focused on climate, justice, and jobs and expanding opportunity for all.
