The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on permitting legislation next week before lawmakers leave for an extended recess.
S. 4753, from Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and ranking member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), seeks to build out the electric grid, ease reviews for renewable energy projects, secure natural gas export approvals and push oil and gas lease sales.
Manchin and Barrasso have been working to sell the bill to colleagues. On Wednesday, Barrasso was heard telling fellow Wyoming Republican Cynthia Lummis that an “environmental extremist” group proclaimed it “Frankenstein’s monster.” Lummis said earlier she was “encouraged” by the duo.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) — an Energy and Natural Resources member who also chairs the Senate Republicans’ campaign operation — expressed optimism: “I spoke to both Sen. Manchin and Barrasso, and it looks like we’re coming together for a pretty good bipartisan bill.”
