NEWS
Energy bill includes money for natural resources
With the support of all three New Mexico delegates, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the landmark legislation known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in late June, including a key provision that will benefit sportsmen for decades to come.
Overall, the measure aims to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and is expected to create hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs. It also dedicates millions of dollars a year to help public lands and wildlife adapt to rising temperatures and increased droughts that are predicted in the Southwest.
Rep. Martin Heinrich of Albuquerque helped insert language in the bill that strengthens the so-called adaptation funding provision by ensuring it is not diverted for other purposes. “Generations to come will have a healthier world to enjoy because of the action Congress is taking to address global climate change,” Heinrich said in a statement. “And New Mexico’s sportsmen will be able to pass on their hunting and fishing heritage thanks to the natural resources funding in the bill that will help our land, water and wildlife adapt to a changing climate.”
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan also applauded the measure and its focus on natural resource protection. “The American Clean Energy and Security Act will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs and save billions in the long run, but it will also protect our treasured lands and our magnificent natural resources. The bill specifically dedicates funding to help our wildlife and public lands adapt to climate change, which will keep our streams, ponds and lands healthy so generations can enjoy New Mexico’s land and wildlife for generations to come.”
The adaptation funding provision dedicates a small portion of the cap-and-trade revenue to state, federal and tribal natural resource agencies. The state funding would go directly to the Department of Game and Fish. At the levels contained in the House bill, the state would receive several million dollars in the first year of the program, 2012, but that level would rise substantially in the future.
A national Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Strategy would need to be developed within two years. The national strategy would need to include prioritized goals and measures, a schedule for identifying, monitoring and conserving natural resources threatened by climate change. The bill defines “natural resources adaptation” as “protection, restoration or conservation of natural resources to enable them to become more resilient, adapt to, and withstand the impacts of climate change.”
NMDGF would need to create a State Climate Adaptation Plan, and funding for all activities would need to flow from this plan. (Under the bill, funding would be provided to the NMDGF to create the State Climate Adaptation Plan. This would be funding in addition to the monies for the conservation activities themselves.) The State Climate Adaptation Plan would need to be consistent with the national Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Adaptation activities in the state plans must also be consistent with the NM State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), an the strategy must be incorporated into the NM SWAP itself.
The U.S. Senate will take up a similar measure this summer. Sportsmen should encourage New Mexico Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall to support the bill and strengthen the provision that dedicates funding to natural resource adaptation.