Budget bill ripe with investments in public lands, climate jobs takes major step in House

Today, in a big step forward, the House Committee on Natural Resource passed its recommended portion of the Build Back Better Act, the $3.5 trillion budget bill whose investments would create millions of jobs – many restoring and creating more resilient public lands and waters; strengthen communities, locals economies and the national economy; and help transition our country away from fossil fuels that accelerate the climate crisis.

The following statement is from Drew McConville, senior managing director of government relations at The Wilderness Society:

“Today’s vote is a major step toward actualizing truly historic investments in our country and a more sustainable future. Once enacted into law, these budgetary investments would help unleash the potential of public lands to fight the climate crisis, strengthen local economies, and make access to parks and their many benefits equitable. Importantly – from unwinding the failed mandate to lease the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to creating jobs through a Civilian Climate Corps and park projects in underserved communities – these investments are funded, in part, by addressing grossly outdated oil and gas leasing rates and loopholes that subsidize oil and gas companies to exploit public resources. We urge the House to quickly pass these measures and for the Senate and White House to ensure these public lands investments are part of a final bill.”

CONTACTS:

• Drew McConville, Senior Managing Director, Government Relations, drew_mcconville@tws.org, (202) 429-2654

• Kerry Leslie, Senior Communications Manager, kerry_leslie@tws.org, (415) 398-1484