Manchin Calls Out Podesta’s Remarks About China Being ‘Big Players’ in US EV Battery Production

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.The centrist Democrat and critic of the Biden administration’s energy policy has released a statement on March 10, in which he called “beyond irresponsible” John Podesta, Clean Energy Czar, said that Chinese companies will be “big players” U.S. domestic production of electric vehicles

Podesta made these comments at an event hosted by a group that advocates for renewable energy.

Manchin, who serves as the chairman of Energy and Natural Resources Committee, expressed particular concern at Podesta’s references to the Inflation Reduction Bill (IRA), which Senator authored, and The CHIPS Act As funding sources, President Joe Biden signed into law the bills that Congress passed and sent to him.

IRAs and CHIPs include, among others, hundreds of billions in investments in domestic manufacturing and research and development.

Companies were eager to get financing through the Acts after the IRA and CHIP became law.

“It is beyond irresponsible for someone speaking on behalf of the White House to not only condone but also advocate for sending American tax dollars to Chinese companies. That is not consistent with either the IRA or the CHIPS + Science Act, which had widespread bipartisan support due to concerns about Chinese supply chains,” Manchin spoke.

Manchin also mentioned in his statement “rumors” The administration is “considering” Offer tax credits for the manufacture of electric vehicles to countries without free trade agreements. This would reduce American electric car producer’s revenue. He also mentioned “Trojan horse” Agreements that enable China to receive U.S. tax dollars partly by financing domestic electric vehicle production that uses technology from China.

“We have a dire dependence problem and comments like this make it clear that this Administration doesn’t care about the energy security of this nation,” Manchin spoke. “I will do everything in my power to prevent this Administration from welcoming China to take federal dollars with open arms.”

Podesta was appointed by Biden to the role of senior advisor to President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation in September. Podesta is responsible for overseeing and stewarding billions of dollars that are dedicated to green energy initiatives and projects.

Joe Manchin is currently working with Republicans on a bill for energy.

A critical area of energy policy in which the senator and the White House butt heads is coal production, which has long been a major part of the economy of West Virginia.  The administration is against coal and other fossil fuels.

Biden spoke in November 2022 in a speech he gave at a California semiconductor firm. He emphasized clean and renewable energies. “We’re going to be shutting these [coal] plants down across America and having wind and solar.”