ConservAmerica March Newsletter

One of our team members was enjoying a walk with her dog recently when she noticed that the beautiful park she was in was supported by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Spring has officially sprung! It’s been a busy month so let’s dive right in.

Earlier this month, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced that the Lower Energy Costs Act would be designated H.R. 1 for the 118th Congress (a bill number traditionally reserved by the Speaker for priority legislation). This legislation, introduced by Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), focuses on two main priorities: increasing the production of American energy and reducing the regulatory burdens that slow project development. H.R.1 passed the House on Thursday, March 30. You can read our statement on its passage here and our blog on HR 1 here.

ConservAmerica has long waved the red flag on America’s outdated permitting process. The federal permitting process can be burdensome and costly, with major infrastructure projects often taking a decade or more to permit. You can watch our latest webinar, for instance, to hear James Callaway, executive chairman of a company currently developing a lithium mine in Nevada, discuss his project’s challenges with the permitting system. To that end, we have joined a coalition of almost 350 organizations in an effort led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, calling on Congress to “Permit America to Build.” You can read more about that here.

Some other big energy news came out of DC this month with the Biden Administration officially approving ConocoPhillips’ Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska. The development is expected to produce 180,000 barrels of oil daily at its peak and would deliver energy efficiently and under the highest environmental standards in the world. The approval was great news for America’s economy and energy security.

That’s it from us this month. We’ll be keeping a close eye on H.R. 1 as it makes its way to the Senate and will keep you posted on any updates. As the weather gets nicer, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy your local parks and trails. If you post photos on social media, be sure to tag us! Stay safe and enjoy.

March Highlights

ConservAmerica Encouraged by Senate’s Passage of WOTUS Joint Resolution

The United States Senate voted to send House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 27 to President Biden’s desk this week. The Congressional Review Act Resolution, championed in the Senate by Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) and in the House by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), overturns the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corp of Engineers’ revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, Headed to the House Floor

ConservAmerice Joins Coalition Calling on Congress to "Permit America to Build"

ConservAmerica has joined a coalition of nearly 350 organizations, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, calling on Congress to “Permit America to Build” by passing meaningful, durable permitting reform before the end of summer.

The effort, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, brings together over 200 state and local chambers as well as leading business, policy, and labor organizations, unified in their support for reforming America’s outdated permitting process.

WEBINAR: The Energy Transition & DOE’s Loan Program

On March 15, ConservAmerica hosted a discussion with LPO Director Jigar Shah. Jigar provided an update on LPO’s priorities and activities, including its operational improvements, and explained how the LPO fits into DOE’s overall efforts to accelerate and commercialize breakthrough technologies. We also heard from James Calaway, the executive chairman of Ioneer, the company developing the Rhyolite Ridge lithium mining and production project in Nevada.

Click through to watch the video replay.

Commentary: Alaska’s Willow Project is Part of America’s Energy Security Solution

For more than a year, President Biden and others have harangued oil and gas companies for earning too much money and then not investing enough of those profits to increase domestic production.

Enter ConocoPhillips with its Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve — Alaska (NPR-A). The development is expected to produce 180,000 barrels of oil daily at its peak, making it the most significant project on Alaska’s North Slope in more than 20 years.

With your help, we can continue to provide leadership on environmental and conservation issues based on the principles of respect for free markets, property rights, and personal responsibility.

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