Bernie Sanders makes first move against a bill with bipartisan support that could increase fracking

[Donkees]

Published 7h ago on July 20, 2017

Excerpt:

With the Senate focused on health care reform, a little-noticed bill that could increase America’s production of fossil fuels may see a vote on the Senate floor as soon as next week. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) does not plan to let that legislation pass quietly. “Our job is to move away from fossil fuels toward sustainable energy and energy efficiency. This bill does the opposite.”

In an email statement on Thursday night, Sanders said he opposes the current form of the Energy and Natural Resources Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in late June by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Those senators say the bill would modernize America’s energy infrastructure by finding “common ground” on energy issues. The bill would also continue funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a fund that taxes oil and natural gas earnings to preserve U.S. land and water resources.

“(This bill) would make us more reliant on fracking for natural gas for decades to come by expediting the review process for natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas,” Sanders said in his statement. “It would also provide millions of taxpayer dollars to research new offshore natural gas extraction techniques.”

Sanders opposition is not surprising. But it is strategic.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) fast tracked the bill for consideration by the full Senate. If Republicans fail to pass a health care bill on Tuesday, Democratic aides and outside groups said McConnell may bring up the energy bill before the Senate next week to show the Senate can move quickly and approve bipartisan legislation. In announcing his opposition to the bill, Sanders said he will offer amendments to the legislation. Those changes would have to be voted on by the Senate, slowing any quick passage of the legislation.

https://mic.com/articles/182615/bernie-sanders-makes-first-move-against-a-bill-with-bipartisan-support-that-could-increase-fracking

[Rhiannon12866]

1. There is so much going on they keep trying to sneak these things past us

Kudos to Bernie for taking action to protect the environment!

[Donkees]

2. Here's some info on their bill, for anyone interested ...

Excerpt:

Jun 29 2017

Senators Cantwell and Murkowski Introduce Broad, Bipartisan Energy and Natural Resources Bill
Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chairman of the committee Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), this week introduced S. 1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (ENRA). The bill is the successor to their broad, bipartisan legislation from the previous Congress and was placed directly on the Senate Calendar for expedited floor consideration.

Focused on a wide range of energy and natural resources opportunities and challenges, ENRA features eleven titles reflecting common ground on efficiency, infrastructure, supply, accountability, conservation, federal land management, National Park System management, sportsmen’s issues, water infrastructure, natural hazards, and Indian energy.

https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/6/senators-cantwell-and-murkowski-introduce-broad-bipartisan-energy-and-natural-resources-bill

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Thanks so much for the details!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. Bernie's always standing guard... glad someone's paying attention.

[Donkees]

4. Twitter Link:

Link to tweet