Despite breakthrough, Manchin and Barrasso’s permitting reform effort faces hurdles

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The Hill

Although Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) finally reached an agreement on energy permitting reform this week, their effort still faces an uphill climb. 

They’ll need to convince leadership and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to support their deal — and to give them floor space at the end of the year. For Manchin, who is not seeking reelection and will leave the Senate when his term ends in January, it marks the last chance to accomplish a long-time priority and one that is expected to be a legacy issue for him.

 

So far, several key lawmakers have said they are open to the effort, which seeks to bolster the buildout of both renewable and fossil fuel energy sources — but they have stopped short of endorsing it.

“I’d like to get permitting reform done,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters when asked about the bill this week. 

Schumer said he had not yet seen the text of the agreement, and didn’t say whether he supported it.

House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), who has been negotiating with Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) to reach a House-side deal, said the Manchin-Barrasso language will “mesh really well” with their own efforts. 

It’s not clear what any effort to mesh the two could look like, however, as Peters and Westerman have not yet detailed any sort of agreement. 

The Barrasso-Manchin bill, unveiled Monday after a two-year effort to get permitting reform across the finish line, comes shortly before lawmakers prepare to depart Washington for the August recess. The Senate is also slated to be out in October and early November, as many lawmakers focus on their reelection campaigns and the presidential race — leaving limited time on the legislative calendar.