"In a Climate Trade-Off, Biden Backs Manchin’s Fossil Fuel Plan"

"The White House hopes that the approval of some oil and gas projects will speed the expansion of transmission lines for renewable energy."

"The White House on Wednesday endorsed a plan by Senator Joe Manchin III to speed the approval of some fossil fuel projects in order to also hasten the construction of new transmission lines critical for meeting President Biden’s climate goals.

John Podesta, President Biden’s senior adviser for clean energy innovation, said the holdup in congressional efforts to streamline permitting rules for energy projects, a process that can drag on for years, has hurt efforts to bolster wind, solar and other clean power.

“Right now, the permitting process for clean energy infrastructure, including transmission, is plagued by delays and bottlenecks,” Mr. Podesta told an audience at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington. “We’ve got to fix this problem now.”

The White House’s announcement drew swift opposition from many environmental groups, which are still seething over the administration’s support of the Willow oil project in Alaska."

Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times May 10, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"Manchin Says He Will Vote Against Biden’s EPA Nominees" (The Hill)

Source: NYTimes, 05/11/2023