Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) speaks during the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 28. | AP

BY CHRISTIAN ROBLES, Politico Power Switch

When the energy nerds of the world write tales of Joe Biden’s presidency, a chapter will be devoted to Sen. Joe Manchin’s regular jabs over electric vehicles. Since the passage of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, the irascible chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has challenged the Treasury Department over how it interprets “Made in America” requirements for electric car batteries. The West Virginia Democrat is now asking the Government Accountability Office to issue a legal opinion on whether Congress can undo Treasury’s actions, writes Timothy Cama. The letter targets Treasury guidance for how car companies should interpret language in the law that requires that minerals and parts used to make EV batteries are sourced primarily out of the U.S. or through its trading partners. The global supply chain for EVs began revolving around China long before automakers shoveled billions of dollars into electric car and battery assembly plants and before the U.S. government spent taxpayer money on developing a U.S. market to replace gasoline-fueled cars. So Manchin has made a sport of arguing that Biden and auto manufacturers are coddling China by pushing for too much flexibility, as the U.S. hands out generous tax benefits to EV buyers. The White House has been grappling with how to balance a climate policy that requires more zero-carbon cars on the road and the equally desirable push for electric cars to be built on the back of U.S.-based manufacturing. Manchin, representing a state rooted in a fossil fuel economy, has been a persistent thorn in Biden’s side and complicates the White House goal of zeroing out U.S. carbon pollution by 2050. They’ve crossed each other over a methane fee program and a tax credit for hydrogen production. He’s pushed back through letters, regulatory comments, and legislation. Read the full story here If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.