Name: Manchin Vows to Block Biden EPA Nominees Over Upcoming Power Plant Rules
Uploaded: 2023-05-11T18:59:01.000Z
Description: As the Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to issue stringent new power plant rules, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), is putting his foot down.

Juliette Fairley is a freelance reporter for NTD and The Epoch Times and a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Born in Chateauroux, France, and raised outside of Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Juliette is a well-adjusted military brat. She has written for many publications across the country. Send Juliette story ideas at JulietteFairley@gmail.com

Juliette Fairley

News

Weather

Flood Emergency Brings National Guard to West Virginia

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

NTD Plus

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

New US Tariffs on Canada Target Risks from Wildfire Management: Economist

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Treasury Blocks Federal Payments to Deceased People

Bessent Considers Sanctioning China for AI Model Theft

Trump Praises Giant Eagle’s Summer Price Cuts

Andrew Thomas is a reporter for NTD News primarily covering business, the economy, and technology. 

Andrew Thomas

Artemis III Mission Remains on Schedule Following Blue Origin Explosion

Rep. Russell Fry Enters South Carolina Senate Race

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

Advocates in San Francisco Condemn 27-year Persecution of Falun Gong

Iran’s Current Regime Leaders Would Rather Kill Off Their Entire Population Than Surrender: Expert

Authorities Seize Over 1,000 Illegal World Cup Streaming Websites

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Paul Greaney

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 22)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 21)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 20)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 17)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 16)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 15)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 14)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 13)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 10)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 9)

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

US News

Politics

Executive Branch

Trump Uses Recent Speeches to Warn Americans of Resurging Communism

NTD+ is a streaming platform featuring exclusive programming, investigative news analysis, and award-winning documentaries.


NTD+

Shorts

Alleged Reflecting Pool Vandalism Caught on Video

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

Shows

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

2.8 Million People in China Evacuated Amid Typhoon Bavi

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Congress

House Passes Legislation to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Sen. Lindsey Graham Likely Died After Aorta Tear, Medical Examiner Says

NTD Films

NTD+ Movies

The Unrestricted War

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. 

Jack Phillips

World News

Middle East

UN Maritime Group to Rescue 11,000 Sailors Stranded in Middle East

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

China News

China Floods: Thousands at Risk After Multiple Dams Collapse in Guangxi

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Iran

US, Iran Launch New Strikes; Trump Warns Ceasefire May Collapse

Bringing you the latest videos, livestreams, and premieres.


NTD Video

Label

Live

NTD+ Live

Trump Signs Executive Order at White House (June 29)

As the Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to issue stringent new power plant rules, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), is putting his foot down.

"I fear that this Administration’s commitment to their extreme ideology overshadows their responsibility to ensure long-lasting energy and economic security and I will oppose all EPA nominees until they halt their government overreach," Manchin said in a May 10 statement.

When asked that same day about Manchin's vow, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Biden "stands by his well-qualified nominees to do the important work of the EPA."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on May 9, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

As a pro-fossil fuel centrist in the closely divided Senate, Manchin could throw a monkey wrench in the works as the Biden administration seeks to advance his environmental agenda—a centerpiece of the longtime Washington insider's presidency.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/white-house-warns-of-biden-veto-if-congress-restores-solar-panel-tariffs-targeting-china_5217554.html">Both of Biden's vetoes to date</a> shot down bills intended to roll back the work of his administration's agencies on climate, energy, and the environment.

A third veto could ensure that some Chinese solar panels remain temporarily exempt from tariffs because of an emergency proclamation last year from the commander-in-chief.
<h2>Manchin's Crucial Importance to Democrats</h2>
Manchin was critical to the creation and passage of both 2021's <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/biden-signs-1-2-trillion-infrastructure-bill-in-bipartisan-ceremony_4105872.html">infrastructure bill</a> and the 2022 IRA. The latter is even known as the <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/tax-hikes-in-manchin-biden-bill-will-crush-middle-class-americans-and-manufacturers-say-critics_4645359.html">Schumer-Manchin bill</a>, which some see as a less tendentious name than "Inflation Reduction Act."

"Neither the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law nor the [Inflation Reduction Act] IRA gave new authority to regulate power plant emission standards," Manchin said in his statement on May 10.

The EPA's power plant rules are slated to be announced on May 11.

The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/22/climate/epa-power-plants-pollution.html">New York Times</a> reported on the likely rules on April 27, citing "three people who were briefed on the rules."

The rules are expected to cap carbon emissions from plants, likely driving the wider use of carbon capture technology. It's similar to an effort undertaken by former President Barack Obama,

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at an event held by the Obama Foundation at the Javits Center in New York on Nov. 17, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

At the time of that reporting, an EPA spokesperson told The Epoch Times the agency could not comment "because the proposals are under interagency review and subject to change."

"We have been clear from the start that we will use all of our legally upheld tools, grounded in decades-old bipartisan laws, to address dangerous air pollution and protect the air our children breathe today and for generations to come," the spokesperson added.

The new power plant regulations will come just weeks after the agency <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/biden-epa-tightens-screws-on-coal-plants_5178026.html">proposed</a> new emissions limits for coal plants aimed at mercury and other air pollutants. And last year, Biden trumpeted a new EPA rule aimed at <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-prices-oil-and-gas-industry-climate-environment-3a5b7049478ec7161fcbd18f1ebdb0ba">methane leaks</a> from oil and gas drilling sites.

In addition, the EPA on April 12 announced <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/senators-question-feasibility-of-epas-new-vehicle-emissions-standards_5204546.html">proposals</a> for regulating tailpipe emissions from vehicles.

Manchin has intensified his opposition to the administration's actions in recent weeks.

"Let me be clear: If this continues, I’ll do everything in my power to stop them—including voting to repeal the IRA," the lawmaker <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/in-depth-manchin-vows-to-stop-bidens-radical-climate-agenda_5222195.html">wrote</a> on Twitter in late April.

Energy industry analysts and representatives warned The Epoch Times the coal plant regulations could further strain an already stressed grid, citing alarming reports from multiple regional grid operators.

"Even as the nation’s grid operators and grid reliability regulators escalate their warnings of capacity shortfalls and the growing threat of blackouts, EPA is not listening and has hijacked the reins of the nation’s energy policy at an extraordinarily precarious time," said Conor Bernstein of the National Mining Association in an April 6 statement to The Epoch Times.

Power grid towers are seen at Bair Island State Marine Park in Redwood City, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2022. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Yet, many environmental groups have celebrated the Biden EPA's moves on hydrocarbon-powered energy, though often with the caveat that he should do even more.

"These proposed new standards would be a much-needed upgrade, but the agency should strengthen these standards even further to protect public health and capture the abilities of modern air pollution controls," said John Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council in response to the coal plant emissions rules announced in early April.

"We applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to prioritizing children's health, and we urge the EPA to quickly and decisively implement strong mercury and air toxics standards," said Holly Bender of the Sierra Club in response to the same proposal.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House and the EPA.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/manchin-vows-to-block-biden-epa-nominees-over-upcoming-power-plant-rules_5255979.html">The Epoch Times</a></em>

coal

Videos

Business News

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

biden

Manchin

Nathan Worcester covers national politics for The Epoch Times and has also focused on energy and the environment. Nathan has written about everything from fusion energy and ESG to Biden's classified documents and international conservative politics. He lives and works in Chicago. Nathan can be reached at nathan.worcester@epochtimes.us

Nathan Worcester

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

Manchin Vows to Block Biden EPA Nominees Over Upcoming Power Plant Rules

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 23)

Special Coverage

2026 Rally and March to End the Persecution of Falun Dafa

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 23)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 22)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 22)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 21)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 21)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 20)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 20)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 19)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 17)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 17)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 16)

Tiffany Meier is an anchor, China news investigative reporter, and producer for NTD News based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Tiffany anchors NTD's flagship shows "NTD Evening News" and "China in Focus" and co-moderates NTD's special election coverage "The Nation Decides." She produced the award-winning NTD Original documentary "Hollywood Takeover: China's Control in the Film Industry."
