Climate Nexus exposes backroom dealing that will cause extreme harm to the poor, marginalized and disinhertited

WESTON, W.Va. — Climate Nexus is sounding the alarm of the harm that will come to the poor, marginalized and disinherited communities in the United States should a secret deal worked out by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to reward his overlords in the fossil fuel industry become law.

This reporting underscores our recent op-ed, Silence about Manchin and the MVP is Compliance with Violence.

Climate Nexus reports, “The Polluter Loophole Bill is a side deal announced by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). This legislation, negotiated in secret as part of the effort to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, would gut bedrock environmental protections, endanger public health, and fast-track approvals for dirty and dangerous fossil fuel projects, including U.S. gas export facilities.

“A leaked version of the bill bears a watermark from the American Petroleum Institute, reflecting the fossil fuel industry’s involvement in this legislative proposal. Reports suggest there is a new version of the bill, but it has not been released even to members of Congress.” Read the full article here.

This is textbook crony capitalism that we’ve been writing about for more than 10 years now. West Virginia’s Manchin, who represents one of the poorest states in the nation, has enriched himself and has essentially abandoned the state, making his yacht on the Potomac River his home.

If you value breathing, if you value clean water, if you value pristine forests, and — most importantly — if you value government of the people, not of corporate interests, then it essential that you write and call Sen. Manchin’s office, Sen. Schumer’s office, as well as your own House and Senate delegations.

© Michael M. Barrick, 2022.