Carper speaks to a reporter in June. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Sen. Tom Carper cast doubt on backing a permitting proposal that would include significant changes to projects' environmental reviews.
Why it matters: Supporters of the Manchin-Barrasso permitting deal will have to win over Carper as theyscramble to reach a bipartisan deal in the waning days of the session.
Rep. Bruce Westerman, sponsor of the House's GOP answer to that package, is focusing on NEPA overhaul as a way to build out the grid.
What he's saying: "I'm not interested in leaving here leaving NEPA riddled with holes," Carper told Axios. "That's not the legacy I want to leave."
Carper added that he could support "reasonable, modest alterations" on the margins of NEPA, if they're targeted on getting zero-carbon energy where it needs to go.
"We'd be foolish not to at least have a serious conversation," he said. "We are, and we'll see where that leads."
