Oppose Whatever They Want
This week, Senator Joe Manchin’s infrastructure permitting reform, aimed at energy projects and supported by The White House, was killed by a weird coalition of Republicans and far-left Democrats. The bill would have expedited the construction of high-speed transmission lines—a reform strongly supported by the editorial board of The Washington Post and other mainstream observers. But environmental groups and the left in Congress opposed the bill because it also expedited review of a gas pipeline through West Virginia, Senator Manchin’s home state. Republicans opposed the bill because Senator Manchin is a Democrat and the bill might be seen as a Democratic win. Republicans support instead a proposal by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, also from West Virginia, which is written to guarantee Democratic opposition—for example, by not allowing environmental reviews to consider effects on climate change.
This latest example of Washington paralysis suggests that the root cause of Washington gridlock is not just political polarization, but also interest group intransigence. Environmental groups go apoplectic at any proposed pipeline. But the benefits of new transmission lines, according to analysis from Princeton experts, are likely multiples greater than any environmental harm caused by gas flowing through a new pipeline.
All infrastructure projects have environmental costs; the question is whether their benefits outweigh the costs. Expediting permitting for energy projects, which Common Good has long advocated, is, on balance, dramatically pro-environmental. New transmission lines are essential to access wind and solar fields. Gas pipelines allow phasing out dirtier forms of fossil fuel. Nuclear power could render coal-burning plants obsolete. All these projects can be reviewed readily within two years. Environmental review is supposed to aid democratic decision-making, not give interest groups a veto.
Washington is tied up in knots—politically and structurally. This week’s failure underscores that the challenge of modern democracy is not just overcoming the extreme fringe on both sides. Democratic governance requires the capacity to act, and a citizenry that demands action instead of finger-pointing. Among other changes, as Common Good advocates, Washington must rebuild lines of authority to enable officials to make decisions for the public good.
The New Center’s Lilah Connell makes the case for permitting reform in a new report and Real Clear Policy op-ed, citing our work. She also specifically endorses our proposal for a National Infrastructure Board.
Writing in The Hill, the Progressive Policy Institute’s Will Marshall cites our work in asking, “Where’s the progressive plan to fix government?”
Also read PPI’s recent paper on why a transition to clean energy requires permitting reform.