August Newsletter

August may have been a frustrating and contentious month in Washington, with further stimulus talks stalling ahead of the congressional recess and the conventions heightening partisanship. But for conservatives who support conservation, our most significant victory in a generation became a reality as President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law. This historic law strengthens the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy by permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addressing the nearly $20 billion maintenance backlog at our national parks and other federal lands. The effort was led on the Republican side by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Steve Daines (R-MT).

We continue to view the Pebble project as the wrong mine in the wrong place and encourage the administration to oppose it as well. The recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ assessment that it would be nearly impossible to do enough on-site mitigation to offset the wetland disturbance called for in the current mine plan only reinforces our position.

For the latest on this issue, check out “The Conservative Case Against Developing Alaska’s Pebble Mine,” an op-ed written by our board member, Andy Sabin, that was published in The Hill.

We will continue to monitor the situation and do what we can to stop this development. With our country’s vast natural resources— conservation is never finished. We are committed to carrying out our work on behalf of conservatives, and we appreciate your support!

ConservAmerica Monthly News

ConservAmerica Calls for Technology and Innovation in Energy Legislation  

ConservAmerica joined dozens of nonprofit organizations and trade associations this month on a letter to House leaders urging them to give floor time this fall to a number of energy and climate technology bills that have advanced with broad bipartisan support. Many of the bills listed in the letter would help the economy bounce back while also creating greater energy security and mitigating climate change. Read the full letter here. 

Our Comments on EPA's Cost-Benefit Analysis Rule

On August 3, 2020, ConservAmerica submitted public comments to EPA in support of its proposed Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) rule. We firmly believe that a thorough economic analysis is essential for developing sound environmental policies and, if done correctly, can enhance the effectiveness of environmental policy decisions by providing policymakers and the public with information needed to systematically assess the likely consequences of various actions or options. Read our comments here.

Other Monthly News

ANWR Coastal Plain Decision Balances Conservation and Energy Security

The Interior Department this week issued a final Record of Decision that clears the way for leasing and exploratory drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  Unlike the Pebble Mine project, the Trump’s administration’s decision to allow exploration in the 1002 coastal plain makes sense and sends a signal to Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia that America will look after our energy security for the foreseeable future. Read our full analysis here.

The US Gets Started on 'Trillion Trees' Project

More than two dozen companies, cities, and organizations are embracing a pledge to help plant one trillion trees, a tactic to curb climate change that has even President Trump’s blessing. Altogether, the participants will plant, restore, and conserve more than 855 million trees in the United States by 2030. initiative. Read more at the Washington Examiner, and check out our webinar on natural solutions.

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