<[link removed]> Congress is back this week with plenty to tackle before the end of February, including passing a stopgap funding bill and salvaging what it can of the clean energy provisions from President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. The tide on BBB negotiations appears to be turning in favor of West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin’s insistence on a smaller package. It is reported <[link removed]> that Democrats may be willing to meet him more than halfway to keep certain provisions in the final bill. The question then is whether progressive groups are willing to accept half a loaf. While it is important to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts related to energy production and use wherever we can, it’s equally important for policymakers to take a balanced approach that does not stifle innovation or unnecessarily hinder economic growth. A good starting point would be market-based solutions that encourage competition, innovation, and consumer choice Think about it; it’s difficult enough for policymakers to look even a few years into the future to see what technologies will be available that could be game-changers in our goal of providing energy that is abundant, affordable, reliable, and clean – let alone a decade from now. Well-designed markets provide participants with timely price signals and the ability to make long-term decisions – principles we think are fundamental to good policy. Speaking of the benefits of markets, the idea of water markets to allocate scarce resources is gaining in popularity in the West. We take a look at this trend in our latest post <[link removed]> on our website. In early January, ConservAmerica hosted a webinar on the outlook for energy and environmental legislation this year. While there’s plenty of pressure for Biden to move his agenda ahead of the midterms, there’s also little appetite among the evenly divided Congress for “going big.” Adam Ingols, Scott Segal, and Capitol Hill reporters Lesley Clark and Justin Worland helped us break down what’s doable in the current environment. Check out the discussion here <[link removed]> . ConservAmerica hosts our next webinar this Thursday on the potential for ocean-based geoengineering to help respond to climate change by removing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. In December, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine (NASEM) released a report <[link removed]> on the potential benefits of ocean-based strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and recommended the U.S. government invest in further. This Thursday at 11 a.m. EST, we are hosting a conversation with Russ George, an environmentalist and eco-entrepreneur who is a pioneer in ocean fertilization. Be sure to check it out by registering here <[link removed]> . <[link removed]> Upcoming Webinar: Geoengineering a Solution to Climate Change, Exploring an Ocean-Based Approach <[link removed]> Can ocean-based geoengineering reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere? Please join ConservAmerica on Thursday, February 3, at 11 AM EST, for an online conversation <[link removed]> with Russ George, an environmentalist and eco-entrepreneur who is doing pioneering research into ocean fertilization, also known as ocean pasture restoration (OPR). OPR holds great promise for sequestering blue carbon while helping restore fisheries. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Water Markets Offer a Better Way to Allocate Scarce Resources in the West <[link removed]> Competition for access to limited water resources has been a hallmark of life in the West for generations. Attempts to manage water through political solutions have consistently resulted in conflicts between states and various user groups, including cities big and small. Water scarcity affects everyone and everything in the West. Wildlife habitat, agriculture, energy production, recreation, and, as witnessed the past few summers, the ability to manage wildfires all depend on access to water. Yet, political solutions to water shortages continually fall short. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Supreme Court to Take Up Case That Would Limit Scope of Wetlands Regulation <[link removed]> Fifteen years ago, the Sackett Family purchased a lot in Idaho with plans of building a home. During construction preparations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) served the family with an Administrative Compliance Order, alleging their plans included a discharge of pollutants and violated the Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> ConservAmerica Voices Support for Advancing Combating Online Wildlife Trafficking Act <[link removed]> ConservAmerica sent a letter today to the leadership of the House Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee in support of advancing H.R.1546, the Combating Online Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2021 <[link removed]> . The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia), reauthorizes the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking tasked with developing recommendations to address wildlife trafficking online and on social media. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> ConservAmerica Urges House Committee on Natural Resources to Approve RAWA <[link removed]> ConservAmerica sent a letter today to the leadership of the House Natural Resources Committee in support of advancing H.R. 2773, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), bipartisan legislation designed to help states improve the management of fish and wildlife populations. Read More <[link removed]> <[link removed]> Webinar: 2022 Outlook for Energy & Environment Policy and Regulation <[link removed]> ConservAmerica and government affairs experts Adam Ingols and Scott Segal, and climate policy reporters Lesley Clark and Justin Worland, discussed the 2022 outlook for energy and environment legislation and regulation. The discussion focused on the Biden Administration and its second year in office, expected Congressional action as we approach the mid-term elections, and recent and pending court actions that will impact the policy framework. Check out the video of the discussion at the link below. Read More <[link removed]> Support Principled Conservation This year, we have seen, more than ever, the importance of protecting our public lands and the unique places that mean so much to us. There's no better way to be a good steward of the land we love than by protecting it for future generations. We need your help to continue leading the way on environmental, conservation, and clean energy issues. ConservAmerica believes the most successful approaches are the ones that offer common sense, market-based solutions rather than big government, top-down regulations. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution. Donate Now <[link removed]> ConservAmerica, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC, United States Powered by Squarespace <[link removed]> Unsubscribe <[link removed]>