LAWMAKERS AIM TO BOOST CONSERVATION PROGRAMS: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) exclusively told POLITICO that he will reintroduce his Climate Stewardship Act today to expand voluntary conservation programs. He’s hoping to attach the bill to Biden’s infrastructure package.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) will introduce a House companion bill, previously sponsored by then-Rep. Deb Haaland in the last session.
What’s in the bill? The bill is largely similar to the one proposed in 2019 by increasing funding and expanding USDA programs, including: the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP); the Environmental Quality Incentives Program; the Conservation Stewardship Program; and the Conservation Reserve Program. The bill would also triple conservation technical assistance funding to $2.1 billion.