Commonwealth Club of California Podcast CLIMATE ONE: Joe Manchin: Coal, Climate, and ‘Common Sense’
Nov 21, 2025
Joe Manchin, former U.S. Senator, discusses his complex legacy in West Virginia’s energy landscape, emphasizing the need for balanced climate policies while acknowledging the community's roots in coal. He critiques the dismantling of the Inflation Reduction Act, advocating for common sense and compromise in energy discussions. Joining him, Thomas Ramey from Solar Holler shares insights on transitioning from coal to solar in Appalachia, highlighting innovative job creation and respecting coal heritage through initiatives that embrace local pride and economic sustainability.
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Campaign Moment With A Shotgun Ad
- Joe Manchin recounts shooting a rifle through the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade ad during his 2010 Senate run to show opposition to that policy for West Virginia.
- He explains his objection centered on lack of guarantee that carbon revenues would be used to fix the problem rather than social programs.
Build Balanced Energy Transition Bills
- Write balanced policy that scales energy production while maturing clean technologies rather than banning fuels outright.
- Use incentives to accelerate technology maturation because you cannot 'eliminate' your way to a cleaner grid.
Why The IRA Worked—and Why It Was Fragile
- Manchin frames the Inflation Reduction Act as a pragmatic, carrot-heavy tax package that matured technologies and lowered costs.
- He argues passing it with bipartisan input would have made it more durable against repeal.
