WEEKLY UPDATE ON WESTERN CAUCUS MEMBERS TAKING ACTION FOR RURAL AMERICA
NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY WEEK
As we celebrate National Clean Energy Week, we are reminded of the tremendous strides the United States of America has made in reducing emissions and we celebrate America’s accomplishments compared to the rest of the World. This week, we recognize the innovators, policymakers, and businesses driving energy innovations for cleaner, affordable, and reliable energy systems to not only make America energy independent, but energy dominant.
WESTERN CAUCUS MEMBERS NAMED 2024 CONGRESSIONAL CLEAN ENERGY CHAMPIONS
On Wednesday, WCF supporter Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) recognized Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis, member Sen. Chuck Grassley and Western Caucus member Rep. Buddy Carter as 2024 Congressional Clean Energy Champions. We thank CRES for their partnership and leadership in advocating for clean energy policy solutions.
PASSED; FIX OUR FORESTS ACT
On Tuesday the Fix Our Forests Act was passed by the House with strong bipartisan support. Congressional Western Caucus Vice Chair and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (WA-04) and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50) co-cosponsored this legislation with the goal to stimulate effective forest management, wildfire prevention efforts, and improve related infrastructure.
“America’s forests are on life support after decades of mismanagement. The clock on these ticking time bombs is down to the final few seconds, and Congress must move swiftly to save our forests from imminent destruction. Today, the House took decisive action on the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which will empower local land managers and agencies with tools to enact the most vital forest management projects. The time to fix our forests is now.” – Chairman Westerman
INTRODUCED: SAFE AND SECURE TRANSPORTATION OF AMERICAN ENERGY ACT
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and member Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding U.S. energy infrastructure from extremist environmentalist actions.
The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act seeks to broaden criminal penalties to cover acts of vandalism, tampering, and disruptions targeting pipelines with the goal of strengthening protections for energy systems in the western United States.