Energy Committee News

MANCHIN APPLAUDS SIGNING OF HIS LANDMARK GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded the signing into law of his Great American Outdoors Act. The legislation, which provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the approximately $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog in our Country’s public lands, passed the U.S. Senate with a vote of 73-25 on June 17th and passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 310-107 on July 22nd.

“I was proud to see President Trump sign my bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act into law. This legislation is an important reminder that when we work in a bipartisan way, the American people come out on top. Full and permanent funding for the LWCF is critical so our land management agencies can continue their legacy of conservation and growing opportunities for outdoor recreation. Addressing the daunting deferred maintenance needs of our national parks, forests, and other Federal lands is long overdue and will ensure all of our public land management agencies can operate fully to maintain and protect the public lands we all cherish. This is truly a historic conservation victory and will ensure that America’s treasured public lands are preserved for generations to come,” Ranking Member Manchin said.

ICYMI: MANCHIN URGES ADMINISTRATION TO REJECT PERMIT FOR PEBBLE MINE

Charleston, WV – Last week, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement urging the Administration to reject the Clean Water Act permit for the Pebble Mine project and protect Bristol Bay.

“As a West Virginian, I understand the importance of mining and the role it plays in our economy. We have learned a great deal from past projects and we know mining must be done hand in hand with responsible environmental practices. Alaska’s Bristol Bay region is unique in that it is home to the world’s most productive sockeye salmon fishery, which generates a proven $1.5 billion in annual revenues and supports 14,000 jobs. The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Pebble mine did not come anywhere close to assuring me that this world-class, pristine treasure would be protected for generations to come. To jeopardize it would be gravely irresponsible and I cannot support the Pebble mine moving forward. I urge the administration to do the right thing by rejecting a Clean Water Act permit for this project.”

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON MENEZES CONFIRMATION

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Mr. Mark Menezes to be Deputy Secretary of Energy by a vote of 79-16. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after voting to confirm Mr. Menezes.

"I'm pleased to join my Senate colleagues in voting to confirm Mr. Menezes to be our next Deputy Secretary of Energy. During his confirmation hearing, he demonstrated his knowledge and firm grasp of the wide range of issues before the Department of Energy. As the Under Secretary of Energy for the past three years, Mr. Menezes has shown he is up to the task and capable of handling the job of Deputy Secretary. I am happy to support his nomination and look forward to working with him to advance our energy innovation agenda.”

From the Hill to the Mountains

MANCHIN RECEIVES ASSURANCES WEST VIRGINIA POST OFFICES WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR NOW

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) received assurances from the U.S. Postal Service that the post office closings throughout West Virginia were a misunderstanding and there will be no post office closings at this time. However, the letter also stated that the Appalachian District identified 12 post offices for feasibility studies for potential closure and 24 locations for reduced hours.

“While I am relieved to hear that these locations will not be closing at the end of August, I have more questions now than before I got this response. Where are these post office locations that might be shut down or have their hours reduced? Why were these locations selected? Why wasn’t any of this information included in the letter as I requested? The people of West Virginia deserve answers, and I will continue to closely monitor this issue to ensure our post offices stay open to provide West Virginians with this vital service.” 

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR WEST VIRGINIA DMV

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $388,450 for the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) competitive High Priority (HP) grant program. This funding will support improvement projects at the West Virginia DMV and maintain innovative technology.

“I am pleased to see DOT investing in Charleston in supporting the DMV which provides essential services to West Virginians. I look forward to seeing these improvements completed and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for funding that benefits West Virginia and our people,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE $10.1 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $10.1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to protect downtown businesses from flooding, spur growth in a critical industry sector, boost workforce training efforts, and provide critical infrastructure needed to support business growth. This funding will create and retain more than 2,500 jobs and spur $69 million in private investment into West Virginia. 

“The EDA has invested over $50 million into the Mountain State in the past five years alone, and without their support for our state and our people, our economy and businesses would be a lot worse for wear,” said Senator Manchin. “Today’s project announcements highlight the great work being done across our state and in various sectors, from manufacturing to natural disaster preparedness. These projects are projected to create and retain over 2,500 jobs for West Virginians across our state. I am very proud of our state for showing that when you give West Virginians a chance, we will always show you how hardworking we are and we deserve the same chances as any other state to prove ourselves. I look forward to seeing these projects completed in the upcoming months and years and will continue to work with the EDA and West Virginia organizations to bring economic development funding to our state.”

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE OPIOID RELIEF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY IN WEST VIRGINIA

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the opportunity for Belington Community Medical Services Association to apply for $1,000,000 in funding under the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). This funding will help support and expand opioid use prevention programs, recovery services, and enhance rural residents’ ability to access treatment and move towards recovery from opioid use.

“Substance use disorder has ravaged West Virginia and our people, hurting families and devastating communities and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made matters worse. This funding will help Belington address this issue and help their community members with substance use disorder by increasing access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for this epidemic to be taken seriously and for more funding to help rural communities in West Virginia that have been torn apart by this crisis,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN: DOD POLICY POSITION SHOULD BE APPROVED BY SENATE

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the Administration’s decision to place Anthony Tata in a deputy undersecretary position at the Department of Defense (DoD) that does not need Senate approval after withdrawing his nomination last week for Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. This decision skirts the Senate’s Constitutional duty to advise and consent on Administration nominations.

“One of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s most important functions is to provide initial consent for Department of Defense nominees in advance of their consideration before the entire Senate. Mr. Tata was unable to secure majority support and appropriately withdrew his nomination. His withdrawal and lack of support from the Senate serve as clear indicators that this position and its duties should be carried out by a nominee that the Senate can agree on.”

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON VA INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT ON CLARKSBURG VAMC PHARMACY

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement after the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released their report on the Clarksburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) pharmacy.

“Today’s report from the VA Office of Inspector General’s investigation of the Clarksburg VAMC’s pharmacy reveals some isolated deficiencies in training and inventory reporting. While some of these instances may seem minor, the Clarksburg VAMC has a long way to go to rebuild trust in the Veteran community. While I commend the VA OIG for conducting this investigation after many concerned Veterans came forward, we must have a more in-depth examination of the leadership’s decisions and missteps that led to the murders of Veterans by Reta Mays. Until we have full accountability and answers to our most basic questions about those deaths, I will not relent.”

2020 CENSUS

Visit our 2020 Census page on our website.

The deadline to respond is October 31, 2020.

If we don’t respond to the Census, we will miss out on important federal funds that make our communities stronger. Every person in West Virginia that does not respond to the Census equates to $20,000 lost in federal funds for West Virginia and our communities over the next ten years. If 100 people do not respond, that's $2 MILLION lost in federal funds to West Virginia over the next ten years. We simply can’t afford that. So please, Be Counted and respond to the census today by visiting: 

2020census.gov 

or call 844-330-2020.

BROADBAND

Take a Speed Test Here.

The sad fact is that many places in West Virginia simply do not have access to reliable broadband and the lack of access affects West Virginians every day. Back in 2015, the FCC released a coverage map that stated 99.9% of Americans had wireless coverage. I knew then what I know now: That is just plain wrong.

That’s why I’m asking all West Virginians to submit your internet speed-tests, so we can prove to the FCC that our broadband coverage is well below the stated coverage. So far, your efforts have helped the FCC acknowledge that our providers are overstating their coverage, but we must continue to show where and how widespread the lack of broadband coverage is in West Virginia.

HOW MAY WE HELP YOU? 

To request assistance from my case team, click here.

As your U.S. Senator, I am proud to be your voice with government agencies during your time of need. My goal is for me and my staff to provide the best possible customer service for every West Virginian who contacts me needing assistance. While I have no direct jurisdiction in legal or administrative matters of any federal, state, or local agency, I welcome the opportunity to assist you in any way possible and to assure that full consideration is given to your case. See one of our recent success stories below:

Russell Perry of Dunlow, contacted the Senator regarding his claim for disability benefits dating back to December 2016. As a result of Caseworker Amber McCartney's inquiry, the Social Security Administration Appeals Council determined he is entitled to benefits.