Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | February 5 - February 9, 2024

Highlights:

The Drought Preparedness Act (H.R.4385), introduced by Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), passed the House last week. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes and advances long-term solutions for communities across the Colorado River Basin grappling with water scarcity and drought. 

Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act (S.3791). The bipartisan bill would bolster national efforts (such as expanding and increasing funding for conservation programs) to protect wildlife, waters, and natural lands. EESI’s briefing, Building a Durable National Framework for Large Landscape Conservation, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between states, the federal government, and tribes to achieve conservation goals— a key component of the bill. 

Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), introduced the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act (S.3760/ H.R.7294). This bipartisan, bicameral bill would establish an Emergency Forest Watershed Program to expedite funding and strengthen support for communities seeking to protect their water supplies following natural disasters on federal forestlands.

Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (S.3738/H.R.7257). This bipartisan, bicameral bill reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to address ongoing and emerging threats to the Great Lakes system for years to come, including by increasing funding levels for 2027 through 2031.

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