Congress, Appalachia is Not Your Sacrifice Zone

Washington, DC – Last night, Senate Democrats reached a long-awaited deal on spending to combat climate change and bolster clean energy production. A joint announcement from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reveals that they have secured a commitment from President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Congress will approve separate legislation to ease federal permitting rules for pipelines and other energy infrastructure. This could ease the way for projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline which Senator Manchin is a strong proponent of.

In response, Grace Tuttle, Development and Programs Coordinator of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) Coalition, said: 

“Here in Appalachia, we refuse to be sacrificed for political gain or used as concessions to the fossil fuel industry in this so-called deal. The Biden Administration must step up to end the fossil fuel era by declaring a Climate Emergency and stopping approval of fossil fuel projects. The unnecessary fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline and further drilling in Alaska and the Gulf are not foregone conclusions. There’s no effective climate legislation that allows for new fossil fuel infrastructure, period. We will continue protecting Appalachia, our communities, and our water, no matter what.”

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