FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2022
Contact:
Collin Rees, collin@priceofoil.org
Oil Change International: Second rejection of Manchin’s dirty deal demonstrates power of climate and environmental justice movements
WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday night, the text of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act was released without the inclusion of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s so-called ‘permitting reform’ legislation.
The proposed bill from Manchin would have fast-tracked fossil fuel projects including the Mountain Valley Pipeline while shortening and limiting review processes for energy projects under the National Environmental Policy Act and other bedrock environmental laws. Reporting indicates permitting language was dropped following opposition from lawmakers in both parties.
In response, Collin Rees, United States Program Manager at Oil Change International, released the following statement:
“Congress was right to heed environmental justice leaders and reject Sen. Manchin’s deadly fossil fuel giveaway for the second time in three months. This dangerous legislation would do far more harm than good and be a deep stain on the climate legacy of any politician involved in its passage. The lesson is clear — fossil fuel expansion is incompatible with climate action.
“As Congress honors the legacy of the late Rep. Donald McEachin, it is fitting that the environmental justice movement he spent his career supporting and strengthening is able to win a key victory over legislation that would undermine bedrock environmental protections.
“We’ve defeated Manchin’s dirty deal twice so far, and we’ll do it as many times as we must until communities and the climate are safe from rampant oil and gas expansion.”
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Notes to Editors
- On Monday, over 750 climate, environmental justice, and progressive advocacy groups sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to abandon Manchin’s dirty deal.
- On Tuesday, dozens of climate and environmental justice advocates rallied on Capitol Hill with Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ro Khanna to oppose Manchin’s proposed legislation.
- Manchin’s original proposal was withdrawn in September after it failed to secure the needed votes to pass with a continuing resolution to fund the government. It remains to be seen if Manchin and congressional leadership will attempt to attach the dirty deal to any other legislation before the end of the congressional session.