Barrasso/Manchin bill props up fossil fuels at the expense of clean-energy future
Drilling.
M1kha, flickr.
The Wilderness Society opposes bill that caters to the fossil fuel and mining industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 30, 2024) — The Wilderness Society strongly opposes the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, introduced by Sens. Barrasso and Manchin, which caters to the fossil fuel and mining industry, circumvents bedrock environmental laws, and ties the country’s renewable energy future to continued oil and gas leasing.
There have been meaningful efforts in recent years to modernize the permitting process and outdated leasing program and promote responsible renewable energy development, and this bill undermines that progress. To more quickly and responsibly transition to a clean-energy future with community safeguards and without fossil fuel industry giveaways, Congress should pass the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, Environmental Justice for All Act and the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act.
In response to the legislation and ahead of Wednesday’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Government Relations Director Justin Meuse released the following statement:
“Promoting fossil fuel development and sidestepping public involvement in environmental reviews, especially from frontline communities most impacted by the harms these activities cause, is a step backwards. Congress should reject this bill outright and focus on real solutions that will responsibly expand renewable energy on public lands and allow for ample community input at a time when we desperately need to more quickly transition to a clean-energy future.”
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