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Climate change

Bipartisan Infrastructure Package Advances Key Wins for Wildlife, Clean Water, and Climate Action

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The bipartisan infrastructure package passed in the Senate has brought together lawmakers across party lines to invest in critical areas such as climate change mitigation, wildlife conservation, and clean water infrastructure. The National Wildlife Federation has praised key provisions in the package, including $21 billion for abandoned coal mine reclamation and $8 billion for flood resilience and wildfire prevention. However, the organization has expressed concerns about provisions that may stifle community input on federal projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure package includes historic investments in reducing emissions from industrial and fossil fuel sources, making communities more resilient to climate impacts, and recovering wildlife.
  • $21 billion will be allocated to remediate and reclaim abandoned coal mines, orphaned oil and gas wells, and Superfund sites.
  • $8 billion will be dedicated to flood resilience and wildfire prevention and management.
  • The PROTECT grant program will be established to make surface transportation more resilient to extreme weather, including through natural infrastructure.
  • Workforce and technical training opportunities will be provided to support research and data collection on wildlife-vehicle collisions.
  • Nearly $50 billion will be invested in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and lead service line removal.
  • More than $3 billion will be invested in coastal restoration and regional watershed restoration efforts.
  • Provisions will be made to upgrade the electrical grid and transmission system to prepare for new wind and solar, smart metering, and electric vehicles.

Statistics:

  • $21 billion will be allocated to remediate and reclaim abandoned coal mines, orphaned oil and gas wells, and Superfund sites.
  • $8 billion will be dedicated to flood resilience and wildfire prevention and management.
  • $350 million will be allocated to develop and build wildlife crossings to improve habitat connectivity.
  • $130 million annually will be allocated for reforestation through the REPLANT Act.
  • Nearly $50 billion in funding will be provided for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and lead service line removal.
  • More than $3 billion will be invested in coastal restoration and regional watershed restoration efforts.
  • 69 members of the U.S. Senate came together across party lines to make historic investments in reducing emissions and making communities more resilient to climate impacts.

Sources:

  • National Wildlife Federation press release (no date mentioned)
  • Testimony of Collin O'Mara, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation (no date mentioned)

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