The Energy Independence and Security Act: Pathway To Nationalizing the Power Grid

CONSERVATIVE FIRING LINE | By Faye Higbee | September 27, 2022

The Manchin-Schumer “Energy Independence and Security Act” may provide a way for the Federal government to nationalize the power grid in the United States. So far, 17 Attorneys General are standing against the bill, calling it a backdoor method of furthering Obama’s failed clean energy agenda from several years ago. [A streamlined permitting plan for new energy projects was created as a side deal so that Manchin would vote for the Inflation Reduction Act].

UPDATE: Manchin has asked Schumer to remove the permitting reform bill from the continuing resolution due to the bipartisan opposition to it. (Just the News)

The Energy Independence and Security Act requires that the US be energy independent by 2024. While that sounds good on paper, it primarily brings solar and wind power into play, demanding that new transmission lines be connected to the power grid.  The 17 attorneys general wrote a letter to Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in opposition to the bill. The letter can be found in this quote under the PDF:

“First, it would authorize private companies to use eminent domain against state land. Second, it would authorize FERC to command utilities to construct entirely new transmission facilities whenever and wherever FERC deems necessary,” the letter states (pdf).

“And third, it would authorize companies to spread costs of constructing new transmission facilities onto residents of other states, requiring citizens of one state to subsidize the agenda of politicians and bureaucrats in other states.” The Epoch Times

The bill was touted as a way to accept the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline in Phillips County, Montana on the way to “energy independence.” Except that even the AG of Montana is opposed to the bill due to its plan to force taxpayers to pay for another state’s energy, and allow private companies to use emminent domain to condemn state property. Plus it specifies certain companies and states favored by the Biden administration and removes the state’s ability to choose. It also only requires 3 votes on the FERC board to finalize the plan – instead of the entire board.

“The Manchin-Schumer bill would give unelected regulators the authority to compel utilities to build high-voltage transmission lines to connect wind and solar facilities hundreds of miles from urban centers, use eminent domain to condemn rights of way, and then pass the costs on to consumers,” Myron Ebell, Director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center for Energy and Environment, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The bill also states that FERC can allocate costs to those who “benefit” from transmission projects. which would include electricity customers in the area supplied by the transmission line, meaning that taxpayers could foot the bill for the developments. The Daily Caller

The bottom line is that your energy bills will go through the roof, with little to show for it, since we are now aware that wind and solar power is not particularly effective as energy sources, especially in the northern states. Encourage your Senators to vote no.

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