WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act providing guaranteed funding for conservation and parks maintenance. The bill will provide mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and additional support to address the maintenance backlog at U.S. National Parks. The legislation had strong bipartisan support, and passed by a vote of 73 to 25.
David Holt, President of Consumer Energy Alliance, released the following statement:
“Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act highlights the essential role responsible energy development plays in advancing the conservation and environmental stewardship goals shared by all Americans. We all want clean air, clean water and beautiful recreational areas for our families to enjoy for generations to come.”
“The majority of the funds utilized by this Act are generated from offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico, which involves some of the most technologically sophisticated and heavily regulated production in the world. It is only fitting that this development is used to finance some of the largest national commitments to conservation on the planet.”
“To keep the promises made by this Act and advance our conservation goals, continued and expanded responsible development in the Gulf of Mexico is essential. We applaud the bipartisan leadership that has allowed the Great American Outdoors Act to be passed, and we look forward to working with Congressional leaders and the Executive Branch to ensure that expanded development in the Gulf of Mexico continues so we may fully realize the potential of this Act.”
