The ConservAmerica webinar series continues to explore important issues around energy and environmental policy. The latest discussion looked at President Biden’s executive order on critical supply chains and America’s dependence on foreign sources for its supply of critical minerals, including rare earths used in batteries, solar panels, and other clean energy technology. The webinar included a great panel and a lively discussion. Check it out!

ConservAmerica welcomed Senate passage in June of bipartisan legislation to improve the efficiency and transparency of carbon credit markets for farmers and other land managers and will encourage market-based approaches to addressing climate change. 

The Growing Climate Solutions Act was reintroduced by U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The legislation will create a certification program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage agricultural and forestry sector participation in carbon credit markets. Today, the Senate passed the bipartisan legislation, which now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

“The Growing Climate Solutions Act is smart policy that will help lower the cost of reducing emissions by providing a strong economic incentive for the agriculture community to sequester carbon,” said Jeff Kupfer, President of ConservAmerica. “This legislation is another good example of how the Senate can come together in a bipartisan way to address climate change. We applaud Senators Braun, Stabenow, Graham, Whitehouse, and their staffs for their leadership and hard work to advance this bill through the Senate and look forward its passage in the House.” 

ConservAmerica was pleased to welcome last month Republican Senators Rob Portman of Ohio and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia as the new Senate vice-chairs of the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus (RCC).

“We are excited to have Senators Portman and Capito - both of whom have an impressive record of promoting sound energy, environment and conservation policy - join the leadership team of the RCC,” said ConservAmerica President Jeff Kupfer. “Now, more than ever, it’s important to support strong Republican leaders working to build consensus around responsible policies that can endure for generations, not just a single administration or Congress.”

Senators Portman and Capito will serve as vice co-chairs and join Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Thune of South Dakota, who serve as Senate co-chairs of the RCC. 

ConservAmerica President Jeff Kupfer last month urged President Joe Biden to continue to negotiate in good faith with Republicans to reach a compromise on infrastructure that moves the country forward without burdening future generations of taxpayers with debt.

“Infrastructure is our best hope for legislation that combines the best ideas from both sides,” Kupfer said. “The health of our economy and our natural environment go hand-in-hand.  Smart investment in modernizing America’s infrastructure – the kind of projects that improve the flow of goods and services, update our energy system, increase efficiencies and expand opportunities for everyone – will pay dividends for decades. Policymakers on both sides of the aisle should focus on delivering a meaningful, achievable infrastructure package that doesn’t unduly burden future generations.”