Defenders Hails Rahall's Comprehensive Energy & Global Warming Bill
"Today, the new chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, provided the best indication yet of the kind of comprehensive legislative response that is needed from the committees of Congress if we are to chart a new energy future for this nation.
"Mr. Rahall has set a good example for Congress' other committee chairs on just how aggressive they should be - within their jurisdictions - to deal with global warming and energy policy. The scope and breadth of Rahall’s proposals are breathtaking and show that this Congress has the foresight and willingness to move swiftly to protect the interests of the nation and of future generations.
"What is particularly impressive is the common-sense nature of the Rahall bill. It protects the public from degradation of the nation's vital public lands and other natural resources, carefully examines alternative energy policy possibilities, encourages sound environmental practices by federal agencies, and assists America's imperiled wildlife to survive the impact of global warming. All in all, it is a stunning piece of legislation.
"Defenders would particularly like to note the importance of the provisions in the bill that encompass the Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act. Clearly, if we are to have any hope of meaningfully assisting wildlife in the face global warming’s impacts, we need to develop a national strategy for doing so, and a cooperative long-term effort among federal, state and private landowners to implement that strategy; and we need to provide for solid scientific information to inform the strategy over time.
"The Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act takes the all-important first step to accomplishing each of these things by identifying the need and establishing the path that should be followed. Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to helping find the necessary funding as further legislative efforts advance."
###
Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 500,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
Contact(s):
Deborah Bagocius, (202) 772-0239
