Joe Manchin: “we can all agree climate change is real and that 7 billion people have had an impact on the climate. We have a…”

“we can all agree climate change is real and that 7 billion people have had an impact on the climate. We have a responsibility. We can all agree we need to act to address the potentially devastating impact of climate change. The Energy Information Administration predicts the United States will continue to rely on fossil fuels for almost 68 percent of our energy through 2040. That is right, the Department of Energy. My amendment basically says that right now the only baseload fuels we have are coal and nuclear and that is going to expand to natural gas. What we are asking for is we need a Federal commitment from the President to Congress to invest in the research and development of fossil energy so we can use the cleanest and most environmentally responsible way possible and find that technology to do it so we are responsible. My amendment does recognize these facts. I ask for a ``yea'' vote and appreciate your support. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.”