WASHINGTON - Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, today outlined the objectionable energy and environment policies in the yearly spending plan after details were released late last night. The plan continues corporate welfare programs for nuclear power, which hasn’t provided significant new energy for decades, while making severe cuts to renewable technologies. The spending plan also includes a rider to delist Gray Wolves from the Endangered Species List, defunds a policy to promote wilderness, and denies funds to establish a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Service.
“The American people want the Republicans to cut government pork, not pass indefensible riders that support the killing of endangered wolves," said Rep. Markey. “By continuing corporate welfare for the oil, gas and nuclear industries, increasing defense spending over the levels that even the Pentagon requested, but gutting programs to build more American clean energy, this spending bill charts a path towards higher energy prices and more foreign oil."
Below is a listing of information on the major energy and environment cuts in the Republican spending plan.
Department of Interior
Defunding Secretary Salazar’s “Wildlands" Policy - Section 1769 of H.R. 1473 defunds the Wildlands Policy, which restores balance to public land management and recommits the Interior Department to compliance with the Wilderness Act.
H.R. 1473 provides $301 million for the purchase and protection of lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is 33% below FY 2010 enacted levels.
Fish and Wildlife Service
H.R. 1473 provides $1.5 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), a decrease of $140 million below the FY 2010 enacted levels and an increase of $239 million above H.R. 1. Significant cuts from FY 2010 enacted levels remain for land acquisition, the Cooperative Endangered Species Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, and State and Tribal Wildlife Grants harming the ability of the FWS to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American people.
Removes Gray Wolves from the Endangered Species List - Section 1713 of H.R. 1473 delists portions of the Northern Rockies gray wolves violating the Endangered Species Act and establishing a dangerous precedent of delisting an endangered species legislatively.
Office of Insular Affairs
H.R. 1473 provides $89.6 million for assistance to territories and Compact of Free Association programs, which is a $900,000 decrease below the FY 2010 enacted level and an increase of $7.8 million above H.R. 1. In addition, the bill continues payments for the Republic of Palau at $12 million, equal to the enacted level and an increase of $10 million above H.R. 1.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
H.R. 1473 includes $2.6 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a decrease of $20.4 million from the FY 2010 enacted level and $11.5 million below H.R. 1. This amount includes $2.3 billion for the operation of Indian programs; $210 million is for construction of education, public safety and justice facilities; and $46.5 million is provided for Indian land and water claim settlements and miscellaneous payments to Indians. This amount also includes cuts from FY 2010 enacted levels of $210 million for construction, $900,000 for land and water settlements, $3 million for Indian land consolid
