Manchin Urges Faster Power Line Approval in Permitting Reform

Senator Joe Manchin wants to speed the approval process for high-voltage power lines as he takes another run at pushing a broad permitting reform plan through Congress.

Changes to the approval and construction process for transmission lines have long been a priority for Democrats, who say they are needed to fully realize the benefits of President Joe Biden’s climate law and its hundreds of billions of dollars of subsidies for renewables. But opposition from many Republicans and investor-owned utilities to the reforms has stalled broader efforts to speed energy project approvals sought by both parties in Congress.