The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an often overlooked federal agency responsible for overseeing the nation’s infrastructure, has recently captured the attention of Senator Joe Manchin III. The West Virginia Democrat, known for his support of fossil fuel interests, has expressed dissatisfaction with FERC’s efforts to consider climate impact when evaluating new natural gas infrastructure.
In response, Manchin has taken steps to limit FERC’s ability to advance renewable energy projects. As the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he has refused to hold a confirmation hearing for the reappointment of Richard Glick, the agency’s chair and a key ally of President Biden. This has effectively left FERC deadlocked without a Democratic majority.
Manchin’s actions are part of his broader frustration with how the Biden administration is implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, which he supported. He has criticized the administration’s interpretation of the law and its regulations on issues such as electric vehicle tax credits and a methane fee program. He has even threatened to work with Republicans to repeal his own legislation.
The White House is now faced with the challenge of appeasing Manchin’s demands without compromising their climate agenda. While they need his vote to pass legislation and prevent his Senate seat from flipping to the GOP, they are reluctant to make too many concessions that could undermine their efforts to combat climate change.
One particular point of contention is the awarding of tax credits to manufacturers of green hydrogen, a carbon-free fuel. Manchin opposes regulations that would require producers to use clean energy sources to power their projects. He has successfully delayed the release of guidelines for the tax credit by leading pushback against such regulations.
However, the White House recognizes the importance of ensuring that clean hydrogen subsidies do not result in increased emissions. They are working to find a balance between accelerating energy innovation and achieving emissions reductions.
In conclusion, Senator Manchin’s opposition to the Biden administration’s climate agenda has put him at odds with the White House. While they need his support, they also have concerns about compromising their efforts to combat climate change. The ongoing disagreements highlight the challenges of navigating a divided Congress and implementing ambitious climate policies.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
