Senate introduces bipartisan bill to support federal clean energy development
“Smart from the start” responsible development is crucial
Randy Montoya, Sandia Labs/Flickr
Bipartisan legislation ensures that renewable energy development on our public lands is done in smart way
Today, Senators McSally (R-AZ) and Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 (S. 2666) which would identify priority areas for wind, solar and geothermal development on federal lands, while ensuring wildlands and wildlife are protected through smart planning and siting.
In response, The Wilderness Society released the following statement from Katie Gilman, senior representative for the energy and climate program:
“Our public lands have played a significant role in contributing to the nation’s climate emissions and this legislation takes a first step at tilting the scales back in favor of responsible clean energy development that creates jobs and invests in local communities. We applaud the bipartisan group of Senators for their leadership and showing that Washington is still working for the people.”
The legislation comes at a time when front-running Democratic candidates have been including federal renewable energy development goals as part of their climate change plans.
Currently emissions from coal, oil and gas produced on public lands and water makes up more than 20% of the U.S.’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Rampant oil and gas leasing by the Trump administration could make this percentage even higher.
Emissions resulting from all the oil and gas leases sold between January 2017 to April 2019 could produce 4.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent – more than the total greenhouse gas emissions stemming from all 28 member countries of the European Union for an entire year.
A bipartisan companion bill (H.R. 3794) was introduced in the House in July of this year and is currently awaiting markup.
More resources:
We need to transition from dirty to clean energy. Here's why.
CONTACT:
- Alex Thompson, Senior Communications Manager, The Wilderness Society, (202) 429-3940, alex_thompson@tws.org
The Wilderness Society, founded in 1935, is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 111 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org
