Manchin Permitting Reform Unlikely To Make Continuing Resolution

A proposal to reform energy permitting, unveiled by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) yesterday, is looking increasingly unlikely to be included in a continuing resolution to keep the government funded beyond September 30.

• Manchin’s proposal would limit timelines for environmental review on energy projects and directly benefit the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline project in Manchin’s home state of West Virginia.
• Proposal would also mandate White House maintain a list of 25 energy projects of strategic national importance for a period of 10 years.
• Manchin’s proposal was designed to be attached to CR as part of a quid pro quo with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) but GOP opposition likely leading to the proposal being quietly dropped with a clean(er) continuing resolution brought for a vote late next week.
• Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) conceded the GOP, "don't want to give any reward to Joe Manchin and they believe that this was part of the agreement that led to the passage of the reconciliation bill. And so it remains to be seen whether or not they'll stand up and help."