From the Endangered Species Coalition (https://www.endangered.org/):
In passing the climate bill, (the Inflation Reduction Act), Congress took a large set of steps to respond to a warming world. The bill is far from perfect. However, if its benefits are incurred as projected, it could result in a large decrease in carbon emissions in the next two decades. Importantly, it will allow the United States to meet words with action when working to address climate change internationally.
Unfortunately, along with the climate bill, members of Congress agreed to a “side deal” in order to bring Senator Manchin and others along. This side deal1 will be one of the largest legislative attacks on environmental safeguards in recent history if it also becomes law.
Tell House and Senate Leadership to eliminate the Manchin Attack on the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act from any future omnibus legislation at https://actnow.io/YQCbzI1.
The agreement that they made reportedly would allow any of the oil and gas drilling projects on the 20 million acres of land and 600 million acres of ocean to proceed without environmental review or oversight.
The Endangered Species Act’s safeguards would no longer protect whales, sea turtles, fish, birds, or any other species that stands between oil companies and oil on that land and in those waters.
The National Environmental Policy Act would not act as a check against toxic pollution and emissions that put people in nearby communities at risk.
The Clean Water Act would not keep surrounding waterways free of deadly spills and discharges.
This giveaway to polluters could be disastrous for animals and people. Everyone who worked to pass the climate bill needs to now make sure that the side deal does not become law. Please email Congressional leaders today and ask that this legislation or its language not be included in anything that gets a vote.
Thank you for your commitment to wildlife and wild places.
1. https://www.newsweek.com/watch-out-here-comes-climate-deals-other-shoe-opinion-1734271
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