Federal Permitting Reform Can Bolster Our Economy While Protecting Wildlife and Communities
Congressional reform of federal permitting and review programs presents an important need to balance conservation, community, and the economy.
WASHINGTON 鈥 Several proposals for federal permitting reform are circulating in Congress, including by Senate Environment and Public Works Chair Tom Carper (D-DE). 爆料公社 believes this moment is an important opportunity for decision-makers to craft policy solutions that foster rapid deployment of clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure, but not at the expense of communities and our lands, waters, and wildlife.
鈥淲e believe that it鈥檚 possible to build up our nation鈥檚 clean energy infrastructure and protect birds, people, and the places we all depend on,鈥 said Felice Stadler, vice president of government affairs at 爆料公社. 鈥淭his is a time to make thoughtful improvements to the tools we have so that our economy, communities, and our environment all thrive. Reforms must protect fundamental safeguards for clean water and air, public health, wildlife and habitat, and ensure the rights of communities to meaningfully engage in the decision-making process.鈥
Birds tell us that we need to take action on climate change. New science has revealed the in North America since 1970 and that two-thirds of North America鈥檚 birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. 爆料公社 believes that an essential way to ensure their future is by deploying responsibly sited clean energy across the United States.
鈥淲e are encouraged that the reforms included in this discussion draft will help protect wildlife habitat by preferencing the development of clean energy infrastructure on already developed land, and protect communities by including critical environmental justice review provisions and stressing the importance of meaningful early public engagement 鈥 important steps in the right direction,鈥 added Stadler. "We have an imperative to get this right, and look forward to working with Congress as this debate progresses.鈥
You can read more about our approach to clean energy here.
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About 爆料公社鈥
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鈥痑nd on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @audubonsociety.鈥
Media Contact:鈥疢att Smelser,鈥matt.smelser@audubon.org