Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Auctions Off Wildlife and Terrain Amidst American Landscapes and Waterways
The Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, in their draft for the upcoming budget reconciliation bill, is facing fierce criticism, with Defenders of Wildlife condemning the move for destructively targeting wildlife. This bill threatens American public lands, waters, and wildlife with initiatives such as land sales, increased logging, and massive oil and gas lease sales.
The controversial provisions mandate the sell-off of millions of acres of public lands, including significant portions of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to boost development in numerous states like Alaska, Arizona, and New Mexico, to name a few. The bill also forces regular onshore oil and gas leasing in virtually every state with available land, placing numerous species at risk of habitat destruction.
"This shortsighted decision not only puts endangered species like polar bears and whales in jeopardy but also betrays every American who cherishes our wildlife and wilderness," Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife, remarks. "Our public lands and waters should be preserved, not stripped for industry executives' profits."
In addition, the bill encourages logging, raises timber targets, and requires lengthy logging contracts, while expediting offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Cook Inlet, Alaska. Lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska are also obligated under the bill. To add insult to injury, the bill allows companies to pay a fee that automatically deems their natural gas exports in the public interest.
Furthermore, bypassing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and voiding funds that would make permitting reviews more efficient are other questionable decisons in the bill. Environmental defenders argue that these provisions endanger wildlife and ecosystems, hinder climate change mitigation efforts, and imperil future generations' access to public lands.
For nearly eight decades, Defenders of Wildlife has tenaciously worked towards the protection of native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a vast network of nearly 2.1 million members and advocates, they are an influential voice in championing solutions to ensure wildlife's survival.
- The controversial provisions in the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee's draft bill for the upcoming budget reconciliation bill include mandating the sell-off of millions of acres of public lands, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to boost development.
- The bill also encourages oil and gas lease sales in virtually every state with available land, placing numerous species at risk of habitat destruction, and forces regular onshore oil and gas leasing.
- In addition, the bill encourages logging, raises timber targets, and requires lengthy logging contracts, while expediting offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Cook Inlet, Alaska.
- The bill also allows companies to pay a fee that automatically deems their natural gas exports in the public interest, bypassing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and voiding funds that would make permitting reviews more efficient.
- Environmental groups like Defenders of Wildlife argue that these provisions endanger wildlife and ecosystems, hinder climate change mitigation efforts, and imperil future generations' access to public lands, making them an influential voice in championing solutions for wildlife survival.
