The Big Story 

Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have reached an agreement on a bill to speed up the nation’s energy and infrastructure projects after about two years of trying to reach a deal. 

© Getty

The bill takes on a suite of issues known collectively as permitting reform. It is expected to bolster the buildout of both renewable and fossil fuel energy sources. 

• Passing a permitting reform bill has been a long-time priority of Manchin’s and is expected to be considered a legacy issue for him after he departs the Senate next year.
  
  
• It’s not immediately clear whether party leaders have bought into the plan, if it will be brought to the floor, or if it will garner enough votes to evade a filibuster. 
  
  

The legislation includes a key Democratic priority: Improving the nation’s ability to build out power lines. Doing so would likely help more renewable energy plug into the nation’s electric grid. 

It does so by shortening the process to allow federal energy regulators to approve new power lines. 

The bill also contains provisions that boost fossil fuels. 

For one, it would require the Energy Department to make a decision within 90 days on whether to approve or reject a gas export project — effectively barring policies like President Biden’s now-stalled pause on gas export approvals. 

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

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California regulators step up support for offshore wind

EPA awards $4.3B for climate pollution reduction projects

In Other News 

Branch out with a different read on The Hill:

Harris gives Democrats hope of galvanizing young voters

President Biden’s decision to drop out of the White House race and endorse Vice President Harris could give Democrats a jolt of energy from young voters as Harris seeks her party’s nomination just over 100 days out from Election Day. 

On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching in the House:

Tuesday:

• The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security will hold a hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s budget request for fiscal 2025. 

   

• The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on 12 pieces of pending legislation.

   

• The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a hearing on three pieces of pending legislation.

   

• The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials will hold a hearing titled “Examining the State of Rail Safety in the Aftermath of the Derailment in East Palestine Ohio.” National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy is scheduled to testify.

What We’re Reading 

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

• More debris from damaged Vineyard Wind turbine found off coast of Nantucket (MassLive)
  
  

• Cash Dries Up for Locals Fighting Climate Change (The Wall Street Journal)

   

• North Carolina’s Iconic College Town Struggles to Redevelop a Toxic Coal Ash Mound (Inside Climate News)

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Harris vs. Trump: What the polls tell us

President Biden is out of the 2024 race and backing Vice President Harris to take over his mantle in November, raising questions about what the polling can help us glean about her chances against former President Trump. Read more

Trump rails against Biden’s decision to drop out

Former President Trump on Sunday went on a social media tirade against President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection in November, claiming it was undemocratic and mocking Biden’s mental fitness. Read more

Opinions in The Hill 

Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: