House Republicans Tie Debt Ceiling Hike to Controversial Pipeline, NEPA Rollbacks
House Republicans have agreed to raise the debt ceiling, but not before attaching controversial provisions to the deal. The agreement includes measures that would push through the Mountain Valley Pipeline, weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and restore Trump-era rules, sparking outrage among environmental advocates and affected communities.
The deal, negotiated amidst the debt ceiling crisis, includes provisions that would force the Mountain Valley Pipeline on impacted Appalachian communities, locking them out of the decision-making process. This pipeline, deemed 'uniquely risky' and 'a horrible idea' by experts, would pose significant environmental and public health risks to the community.
Republicans are using this crisis to extort President Biden and Democrats into approving the pipeline and gutting NEPA protections. The proposed deal aims to fast-track energy infrastructure projects by reducing or bypassing environmental reviews and regulations, arguing this will boost energy independence and economic growth. However, critics warn that this prioritization of fossil fuel development over environmental protections could have severe consequences for the community's health.
The deal also includes provisions to make it easier for corporations to bypass environmental regulations and community input. This could significantly chip away at NEPA, a bedrock piece of legislation guaranteeing public participation and transparency in decisions affecting the environment and public health of the community.
Despite the deal clearing the House, there is still time for the Senate to act. Environmental advocates and affected communities are urging senators to support amendments removing the Mountain Valley Pipeline provision. Contacting senators to voice concerns is a reasonable and achievable goal.
The debt ceiling deal, while averting a U.S. default, includes provisions that could have severe environmental and public health implications for the community. The Mountain Valley Pipeline, if pushed through, would pose significant risks to the Appalachian community. The Senate now has the opportunity to remove these toxic riders and protect NEPA, ensuring public participation and transparency in decisions affecting the environment and public health of the community.
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