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Natural Resources Bulletin - Campaign Edition - 5/20/2009

(National Wildlife Federation)Natural Resources Bulletin - May 20, 2009
Campaign Edition
 
Global warming legislation that could provide up to $7 billion annually in dedicated funding to protect natural resources for people and wildlife has been introduced in the House of Representatives. From now until Memorial Day when the Bill is voted on in committee, we will be putting out a WEEKLY Natural Resource Bulletin - Campaign Edition. Please read and TAKE ACTION!
 
Contents:
1. E&C Committee begins markup on climate bill
2. Take Action: call-in continues
3. "Dedicated funding" vs. appropriations
4. Obama sets new fuel mileage targets
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1. Markup begins on ACES climate bill
 
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has begun the official revision process for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), the major climate and energy bill introduced by Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey.  The two sponsors have spent the last month hammering out compromises with moderate Democrats and appear to have gained enough votes to move the bill through committee.  Republicans are proposing hundreds of amendments to slow its progress, but momentum has clearly shifted toward moving this bill through committee this week.  Chairman Waxman has pledged to conclude markup by the Memorial Day recess which starts THIS FRIDAY, meaning that the bill could reach the full House as soon as mid-June.  
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2. Take Action: call-in continues
 
Energy and Commerce members will spend the rest of this week working out details of ACES, and this is the last, best chance for constituents to contact their representatives and demand a "Clean, Green, and Fair" climate bill.  Please take a few minutes out of your day to call your House member on behalf of wildlife and ecosystems.  A summary of the natural resource provisions in ACES is attached to this email, as well as a call script.  The number for the House switchboard is (202) 224-3121.
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3. "Dedicated funding" vs. appropriations
 
One of the conservation community's top priorities has been to secure dedicated funding for natural resources.  The majority of government spending is routed through Congressional appropriations committees; dedicated funding is different in that it flows directly from the Treasury to state, tribal, and federal agencies.  There are several reasons why dedicated funding makes sense for safeguarding natural resources from global warming.  First, ecosystem-scale projects require a significant investment and long-term planning, which means they need a steady, reliable source of funding.  Second, the cross-agency collaboration needed to safeguard natural resources is made easier if agencies are not competing every year for funding.  Additionally, the appropriations process provides no guarantees of stable funding, so if the party in power opposes conservation spending the money for conservation might not materialize.  This scenario played out during the last major conservation funding battle, over the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 2001 (CARA): promises of funding proved short lived after the leadership of the Appropriations committee switched parties.  
 
One of the biggest fight this week - and through the year - on natural resource funding in climate legislation will be to ensure funding is guaranteed.  There are some legal ways of requiring appropriators to spend the natural resource funding, while providing them with some limited discretion on where and how to spend the funding.  This may be an inevitable compromise, but we need to continue to push for fully dedicated funding.
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4. Obama announces major new fuel regulations
 
President Obama announced a major change to auto emissions and mileage standards, mirroring California's strong regulations and drawing praise from scientists, conservationists, and energy analysts.  Set to go into effect in 2012, the new rules will raise fuel economy nationwide by 40% by 2016, and will reduce emissions by the same figure.  
 
For more, visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/business/19emissions.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mileage&st=cse
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