Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC - Today, Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AK) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced permitting legislation that would dangerously restrict reviews of fossil fuel projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and would limit the ability of communities to legally challenge a project.
This proposed legislation comes on the heels of new federal agency rules that drastically undermine NEPA and a Supreme Court ruling that narrows the scope of environmental reviews under the bedrock environmental law.
In reaction, Sierra Club Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy Mahyar Sorour issued the following statement:
“This permitting bill would simply double down on efforts by the Trump administration to fast-track fossil fuel projects with no safeguards and regardless of community concerns. In order to meet our current and future energy demands, we must not rely on dirty, dangerous energy of the past. We urge Congress to reject this legislation and support policies that accelerate the deployment of clean energy that doesn’t sacrifice communities or undermine bedrock environmental laws.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.