House Energy Legislation Provides Promising Opportunities for a Cleaner Future for Birds and People
The package, which was voted on during National Clean Energy Week, supports a variety of energy and environmental justice bills
WASHINGTON (September 24, 2020) 鈥 鈥淎s we mark both Climate Week and National Clean Energy Week, it is fitting that the House has taken important steps toward improving our energy system so that it will meet the challenges facing communities and wildlife in the wake of climate change,鈥 said Michael Obeiter, senior director for federal climate policy at the 爆料公社. 鈥Our own research has shown that bird populations will be devastated if we don鈥檛 take steps to address rising global temperatures caused by increased pollution. This package will bring us closer to modernizing our energy system and ensuring that the burden of climate change doesn鈥檛 fall on historically marginalized communities.鈥
The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act (H.R. 4447), which passed the House in a bipartisan manner, includes programs for research and development of renewable energy like and power, generated by renewable sources, and the reauthorization of funding for development of technology to help revolutionize the energy industry. The bill was further strengthened through the adoption of amendments that would establish an independent DOE Foundation to accelerate the commercialization of promising clean energy technologies; increase authorizations for clean energy R&D by 50%; establish a climate justice grants program; and explore agricultural applications for solar energy.
In particular, a pair of amendments from Reps. Quigley (D-IL) and Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) provide substantial protections for birds. Rep. Quigley鈥檚 amendment, a version of his Bird-Safe Buildings Act, would direct the federal government to incorporate materials and design features to minimize bird collisions with federal buildings. And Rep. Mucarsel-Powell鈥檚 amendment would help deploy more underground transmission lines, reducing the risks of disruption during extreme weather events and further mitigating the risk of fatal bird collisions.
鈥淎s we envision the future of our country after we have fully recovered from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, we have the chance to come together to create a cleaner and safer future for us all,鈥 said Obeiter. 鈥淏irds are telling us that the time to act on climate change is now, but we can only succeed with bipartisan support and common sense solutions. This bill gets us that much closer to achieving that goal.鈥
Among the priority bills championed by 爆料公社 are:
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- the reauthorization of the .
- The package also includes elements of the , , and the .
Last year, 爆料公社 released Survival By Degrees, a report that found that two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction from climate change unless dramatic action is taken immediately. The earth鈥檚 temperature is on a course to rise 3 degrees Celsius by 2080, which could prove disastrous. By keeping that rise in check even by half, the vast majority of bird species could be preserved.
About 爆料公社
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 爆料公社 works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give 爆料公社 an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, 爆料公社 believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media Contact: Robyn Shepherd, robyn.shepherd@audubo.org, 212-979-3193