Manchin Reconciliation Deal Fails to Truly Address Climate Change and Locks in Fossil Fuel Use

Tentative spending agreement would prop up fossil fuels, promote industry-friendly false solutions

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Washington, D.C. – Tonight a deal between Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Democratic leadership was announced. While the full details are yet unknown, the agreement is being touted as a climate deal that purports to cut carbon emissions 40 percent by 2030. 

In response, Food & Water Action Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

“After dragging his feet for more than a year, Senator Manchin announced an agreement that won’t solve the crisis, and may make it worse. The few details released this evening suggest this deal will prop up fossil fuels and promote the various false climate solutions beloved by industry.

“Streamlining permitting for natural gas pipelines and exports is not climate action, it is the opposite. More subsidies for dirty hydrogen, carbon capture, and nuclear energy are not climate action, they are the opposite.

“This so-called deal forced by Senator Manchin is what we would expect when Congress is so closely divided and friends and beneficiaries of the fossil fuel industry have effective control over ‘climate’ policy. It proves we need to elect more climate champions so that we can pass the policies actually needed to confront the crisis we all face. Until then, we should not accept deals that strengthen the oil and gas industry to the detriment of us all.”