WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation passed today by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will create jobs and put people back to work restoring degraded lands, strengthening community resilience, expanding clean energy and carbon capture technology, and reducing wildfire risk. Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, appeared in front of the committee to testify on this legislation — and the need to conserve and restore lands for wildlife and communities while also mitigating the effects of the climate crisis.

“Chairman Joe Manchin and the committee are showing how we can lay the foundation for a clean energy economy, support biodiversity, and put millions back to work through restoration and resilience projects,” O’Mara said on the bill’s passage. “This bipartisan legislation addresses several of the facets of the challenges we face, and we look forward to Congress swiftly building off these ideas in the bipartisan infrastructure package and beyond.” 

Read Collin O’Mara’s full testimony on infrastructure investment needs and opportunities