House Republicans have worked through their internal power dynamics at the start of the 118th Congress and have officially gotten down to business. Right out of the gate, one of the main priorities has been legislation focused on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), responding to what many see as the politically motivated drawdowns by President Joe Biden before last year’s midterm elections. 

The SPR was created to protect the United States from oil shortages and price spikes caused by physical supply disruptions. However, over the last two years, President Biden has authorized the sale of more than 250 million barrels of oil, or approximately 40 percent of the reserve, to tamp down domestic gas prices in a contentious election year.

Roosevelt Conservation Caucus member and Chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), has led the SPR charge with two bills, both of which have since passed the House.

When Republicans in Washington talk about energy policy, one word often comes up: Solyndra.  Before the recent elections, headlines blared about this defaulted government loan guarantee – “Republicans look for the next Solyndra.”  

With Republicans now controlling the U.S. House of Representatives, should they actually “look for the next Solyndra”?  What are the real lessons from it for both Congressional Republicans and the Biden Administration?  

We believe there are lessons, and here’s what they are:

ConservAmerica recently sent letters to key members of Congress on the importance of conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF, which receives its main source of project funding from offshore oil and gas revenues, has long provided crucial funds for our country’s national and state parks, historical sites and battlefields, conservation areas, and community programs and parks.

Established in 1964, the LWCF’s main source of project funding is from offshore oil and gas revenues. Annually the fund receives nearly $900 million and is responsible for significant funding and support of America’s national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, historic sites, local community projects, and other outdoor space and public works.

The population around the Colorado River Basin has exploded in recent years, with the area now supporting roughly 40 million people. However, as more and more people are discovering the magic of the American West, water levels are declining to their lowest levels in history.

The Colorado River, which serves roughly 10% of the country, is the region’s most important waterway. Fed by our country’s largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the 1,450-mile river starts in the Colorado Rockies and ends in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. Since 2000, the Colorado River basin has been experiencing a historic, prolonged drought that has most importantly impacted regional water supply and hydropower.

The ConservAmerica 2022 Annual Award Reception video is now live!

ConservAmerica recently held its annual reception to honor members of the Congressional Roosevelt Conservation Caucus in Washington, DC. This year’s recipients of the Congressional Champions Award are Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th District, Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia’s 1st District, and incoming Energy & Commerce chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington’s 5th District. The award recognizes members for their commitment to advocating for innovative and commonsense environmental, energy, and conservation policies.