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STATEMENT ON SEN. MANCHIN BLOWING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS, CREATE JOBS AND TAKE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

July 15, 2022

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Washington, D.C. – Today, Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power, issued the following statement after Senator Joe Manchin’s interview this morning that he wants to get something done on climate after he refused to support cost-saving climate investments in the reconciliation bill:

“If Senator Manchin was serious about making a deal on climate, he could have done so at any point over the past 15 months. This was our moment – our chance to lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs and take on climate change. He blew it. 

We could have ramped up production of American-made clean energy that would have created good-paying jobs in small towns and big cities across the country. It would have reduced our dependence on oil and gas and broken the hold foreign dictators have on how much we pay at the pump. He blew it. 

The blame rests with Senator Manchin. His actions alone will condemn our kids and grandkids to more extreme fires, more devastating floods and more fatal heat waves.

One senator may care more about his oil and gas funders than the people he represents or the planet he lives on, but we will not stop fighting for the future we all deserve.”

Senator Joe Manchin has taken more money from oil and gas than any other member of Congress since the start of 2021. In fact, Manchin has taken more from oil and gas in the last year and a half than he did for the entire rest of his career. 

Manchin’s move is out of step with voters from both political parties. Americans are living with the consequences of the climate crisis and overwhelmingly support bold action. According to a May 2022 poll, 74% of voters (94% of Democrats, 74% of independents, and 54% of Republicans) say it’s “very” or “somewhat” important that Congress take action to address our energy crisis by investing in clean energy.