Energy & Environment — Biden draws GOP ire with Venezuela oil sanctions move

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View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  Biden move to lift Venezuela oil sanctions draws criticism Energy and foreign policy hawks took aim this week at the Biden administration's announcement that it will ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil. © AP The administration confirmed Wednesday it will ease some sanctions on oil and gas from the South American nation, as well as gold. The White House said the easing came in return for President Nicolás Maduro allowing international monitors of elections.   Senate Energy Committee Chair Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who has frequently criticized the administration on energy issues, said Thursday that "on the heels of announcing the smallest five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan in decades, this administration is turning to Venezuela … one of the world's dirtiest energy producers and an oppressor of its own people."    Manchin's Republican counterpart on the committee, Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), meanwhile, told The Hill that the decision "shows once again" that President Biden "would rather go with dictators on a bended knee than … allow us to use American energy."   U.S. oil production recently hit an all-time high, according to an analysis from The Associated Press.   Read more in a full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Congressional Democrats ask for review of environmental threat from 'zombie' coal mines Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and seven House Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review potential environmental damages caused by idled coal mines.   Full Story EPA tightens reporting requirements for 'forever chemical' releases, closing controversial loophole The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule that will tighten the reporting requirements for facilities that use or release certain types of toxic "forever chemicals."  Full Story Hurricanes twice as likely to rapidly intensify into powerful, catastrophic storms in last two decades: study Atlantic hurricanes are more than twice as likely to quickly intensify into major storms in the past two decades compared to a comparable period in the late 20th century, according to research published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports.   Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read on The Hill: Tesla recalls nearly 55,000 Model X vehicles over brake safety issue Tesla announced a recall for some of its vehicles over a potential brake fluid safety issue. The recall notice will affect 55,000 of its Model X vehicles from 2021-23, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. Full Story On Our Radar  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Tuesday: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup hearing on pending legislation   Wednesday: The Senate Energy Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining will hold a hearing on pending legislation The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a markup hearing on pending legislation   Thursday: The Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing to examine federal offshore energy strategy and policies A Senate Environment & Public Works subpanel will a hold a hearing to examine evaluating alternative materials for single-use plastics. What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Controversial CO2 Pipeline Scrapped in Midwest (The Wall Street Journal) 'It's time for us to go': the Mexican fishing village swallowed by the sea (The Guardian)   October heat wave could break records in California  (The Los Angeles Times) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Ken Buck says he's had 4 death threats amid Speaker vote Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) is the latest member of Congress to report receiving death threats related to the House GOP's internal conflict over selecting the next Speaker. Read more Supreme Court won't reinstate Missouri gun law as Thomas dissents The Supreme Court declined to reinstate a Missouri law that prevents local police from working with the federal government to enforce certain gun laws. Read more   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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