Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 17 - February 21, 2025

Highlights:

Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act (H.R.1420). The bill would allow new agricultural lands in California to be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The program incentivizes farmers to flood their fields in the off season, which both supports wetland species and improves soil productivity. EESI’s briefing, Conservation Practices from Farms to Forests and Wetlands, explores the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and other opportunities to promote climate-smart conservation.

Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act (S.647) to establish wildland fire research centers at universities across the country. Specifically, the centers would work to develop region-specific modelling and technology to support community fire management. EESI explores other wildfire risk and management tools on this episode of the Climate Conversation podcast.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Protect the West Act (S.670/H.R.1459). If passed into law, the bill would initiate a suite of restoration funding efforts, including funding for forests and watershed restoration, invasive species removal, wildfire risk reduction, drought resilience, and improved outdoor access — creating millions of jobs in the process.

Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and David Joyce (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Building Native Habitats and Federal Facilities Act (H.R.1500) to promote the incorporation of native plant species into landscaping planning for federal buildings. Under this bill, increased use of native vegetation would support their survival and that of pollinators and wildlife that rely on them, as well as provide ecosystem services such as flood mitigation.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the PDF here.