Manchin touts energy policy as the key to combating blackouts — and boosting Biden’s green agenda

Sen. Joe Manchin III used his perch atop the chamber’s Energy Committee to shine the spotlight Wednesday on a contentious issue that could ease power outages while also jolting the president’s green energy agenda: the fast-tracking of interstate transmission-line projects.

The conservative West Virginia Democrat sought buy-in from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle during a committee hearing Wednesday on whether the nation’s arcane permitting laws should be changed to fast-track energy projects of all forms.

“We should not politicize infrastructure that has long enjoyed bipartisan support. The areas that need...