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Manchin departure creates opening atop Energy Committee

November 10, 2023 Published by

Just In News | The Hill 

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Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

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The Big Story 

Manchin exit opens up top Dem spot on Energy panel

Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) decision not to run for Senate next year will create an opening at the helm of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

© Greg Nash

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) may be the likeliest candidate to become the panel’s next top Democrat. He’s technically fourth in line in terms of seniority, but the three senators ahead of him already chair other committees. 

Those senators — Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — could technically leave other chairmanships to helm the Energy panel, but could not chair both committees.

 

A spokesperson for Wyden confirmed that he intends to keep his spot on the Finance Committee. 

 

Asked about whether Heinrich is interested in the role, a spokesperson provided a statement from the New Mexico senator in which he doesn’t explicitly say he’s interested — but does tout his credentials.

 

“Building America’s clean energy economy, protecting our public lands, and addressing climate change have always been a focus for me and the communities I represent,” Heinrich said.

 

“It’s been a privilege to serve on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues as committee leadership decisions are made in the next Congress,” he adds.

 

Whoever gets the position, however, may not end up as chair.

 

Manchin’s exit from the race makes it more likely that the West Virginia Senate seat will be held by a Republican next year — in turn hurting Democrats’ chances of keeping control of the Senate.

 

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — 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:

 

Deploying low-intensity burns could reduce the initial risk of catastrophic wildfire by more than 60 percent, while helping protect the area for at least six years, a new study has found.  


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(KHON) – A beautiful, natural phenomenon is creating pink-looking water in Kealia Pond on Maui. The color is believed to be from algae that thrives in water with high levels of salt.


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Honda plans to increase wages for workers at U.S. factories by 11 percent in January, after the United Auto Workers (UAW) union struck a deal for substantial pay raises and other benefits with three major automakers late last month.


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In Other News 

Branch out with a different read on The Hill:

Big meatpackers must warn chicken growers about the risks of the deals they’re entering into, according to a new federal rule enacted Wednesday. The rule is part of a package of reforms the Biden …


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On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

 Tuesday

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the Biden administration’s proposed power plant climate rule

The House Natural Resources panel will hold a hearing on the administration’s actions related to mining & abandoned mine lands

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on wildlife movement and migration corridors

 

Wednesday

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on industrial decarbonization

Thursday

The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Interior Department’s remote work and telework

 

What We’re Reading 

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

US faces almost daily hazardous chemical accidents, research suggests (The Guardian)

UAE oil giant’s two missions: a greener image and ‘accelerated growth’ (Politico/E&E News)

 

In a U.S. First, a Commercial Plant Starts Pulling Carbon From the Air (The New York Times)

 

Opinions in The Hill 

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

Methane from landfills is another climate emergency. Here’s how to fix it. 
 
 

You’re all caught up. See you Monday! 

​Energy & Environment, Newsletters, Bernie Sanders, Energy, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Finance Committee, joe manchin, Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich, Ron Wyden Read More 

Author Profile

Rachel Frazin