Vote NO on Manchin's Building American Energy Security Act!

I am deeply concerned about the new “Building American Energy Security Act of 2023” released by Senator Joe Manchin and the “RESTART Act” released by Senator Shelley Moore Capito that would attempt to gut critical environmental protections, hamstring agency review of energy projects and fast-track unnecessary projects like the destructive Mountain Valley Pipeline. The Mountain Valley Pipeline has already lost several of its permits multiple times in court, but Manchin’s bill attempts to push it through anyway. Construction of the pipeline has already caused harm to drinking water, farms, and waterways in West Virginia and Virginia, where it has been cited for hundreds of violations. The project has an unacceptable impact on communities, and Congress should not bend federal law to favor this harmful and unnecessary project. Importantly, the project is not necessary for grid reliability or national security. According to the Energy Information Administration, demand for natural gas is stagnant and not expected to increase, and the region has adequate pipeline capacity. The pipeline can’t transport carbon or hydrogen, so it won’t help with new advanced energy projects either. The bill also attempts to limit state authority under the Clean Water Act, require federal agencies to rush review of new fossil fuel projects, and limit — or even avoid — review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The suggested measures would truncate timelines available for agencies to review permits, limiting their ability to thoroughly vet projects. Weakening the Clean Water Act and public participation in decision-making will not help advance renewable energy projects, and the bill does not include adequate provisions to help build transmission infrastructure, offshore wind, and other renewable energy technologies. If implemented, the measures in this bill would endanger our air and water, and they would erode transparency and public participation in critical review processes. Please oppose this fossil fuel industry bill and any legislative approach that puts people’s health and safety at risk. Thanks!