Climate Groups Gear Up for Massive Mobilization Against Manchin's Dirty Deal

Climate action advocates on Wednesday promoted a rally set for September 8 in Washington, D.C., where they will protest an agreement forged by Sen. Joe Manchin and Democratic leaders that would make it easier for fossil fuel companies to have pollution-causing projects approved quickly.

The Stop MVP coalition and People vs. Fossil Fuels coalition said they plan to convene in the nation's capital to speak out against Manchin's deal and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project, a fracked gas pipeline that would transport shale gas 300 miles from West Virginia to Virginia.

The pipeline is a top priority of Manchin's, and the West Virginia Democrat's support for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was partially secured by the agreement.

The IRA includes an historic investment in renewable energy expansion, but scientific analyses show that the MVP would lead to more than 89 million metric tons of fossil fuel emissions per year.

Manchin's agreement with his party's leaders would set two-year limits for environmental reviews of projects like the MVP.

Allowing Manchin's deal to pass in Congress, said the two coalitions planning the September 8 rally, would perpetuate the Appalachian region's status as a climate "sacrifice zone."

"We are done being sacrifice zones, and we must stop this bill and MVP!" said the groups. "We must protect bedrock environmental laws and public input. We are in solidarity with all frontlines of the climate crisis."

Meanwhile, the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) prepared to launch a campaign aimed at pressuring lawmakers to reject the side deal.

The deal represents "little more than a fossil fuel and extraction industry wish list," said the group. "Indeed, it's tantamount to their dreams coming true, meaning it's a nightmare for everyone else."

The PDA announced an organizing call Wednesday night in which participants will prepare to demand a meeting with Democratic leaders to discuss what they called a betrayal of "the frontline communities of color whose overwhelming support delivered the Democratic Party its greatest victories this century."

While the right-wing, fossil fuel-backed senator from West Virginia demanded a deal to make oil and gas development easier for corporations, said the group, "none of the party's key constituencies will be upset if it is defeated, and many will rejoice."