June 5, 2015
Contact: Brian Zupancic, government affairs manager, (703) 284-9427
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Anglers, hunters support bipartisan House renewable energy bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.A new bipartisan renewable energy bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives has brdfoad support within the sporting community because it includes royalty provisions for public lands renewable energy development that would help fund important conservation work.
The bill (H.R. 2663), introduced by Republican Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, Joe Heck of Nevada, Trent Franks of Arizona, and Democratic Reps. Jared Polis of Colorado, Mike Thompson of California and Raul Ruiz of California is virtually identical to a bill introduced recently in the Senate. It would balance the need to protect and restore public lands fish and game habitat with the development of new sources of wind and solar energy.
Its important to sportsmen and women that we protect our public lands habitat, because that habitat translates into great fishing and hunting, said Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited. We recognize the need for energy security and for our nation to diversify its energy portfolio. This bill, just like its counterpart in the Senate, will allow the country to tap new energy resources while enhancing the fish and game habitat that is vital to our sporting heritage.
All six representatives who introduced the bill today have supported previous versions of the bill, which means the bipartisan effort to produce meaningful legislation around renewable energy continues. These leaders also recognize the importance of protecting and restoring important habitat for fish and gamehence the bills proposal to direct royalties generated by wind and solar energy production to habitat improvement efforts. Other portions of the royalties will go to state and county governments, who in recent years have been strong advocates for the legislation.
This is a good bill for rural communities, thanks to royalties that go directly to local governments, and the royalties that go to habitat improvement, Wood said. Many local economies depend on fishing and hunting activity, and this bill ensures the habitat sportsmen and women need for their pastimes remains healthy.
Trout Unlimited supports the bipartisan effort to pass thoughtful renewable energy legislation, Wood said.
We look forward to working with those in Congress who get behind this bill and help ensure the protection and restoration of quality fish and game habitat, Wood said. This bill is proof that conservation need not be political, only that it be practical. Were grateful for the strong leadership demonstrated by the congressmen who introduced this bill, and we look forward to the bill becoming law.
Trout Unlimited is the nations oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North Americas trout and salmon and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, and visit us online at tu.org.