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Eric Bontrager
The Nature Conservancy
Email: eric.bontrager@tnc.org
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure last night approved new transportation infrastructure legislation. The Invest in America Act, H.R. 2, calls for new infrastructure with greater resilience to the impacts of climate change as well as investments to conserve America’s lands, waters and wildlife.
The following is a statement by Sarah Murdock, director of U.S. resilience and water policy at The Nature Conservancy:
"The Invest in America Act is a win for the country’s infrastructure and natural world. In the face of a changing climate, this bill strives to ensure the roads, bridges and other investments the country pays for will be here in the future. Its emphasis on building new infrastructure more resilient to increased flooding and other climate threats and integrating natural infrastructure in projects will help protect communities, ecosystems and taxpayer dollars. Its investments in reducing carbon emissions, particularly electric vehicle and other alternative fuel infrastructure, will help address the transportation sector’s share of the climate challenge.
In the face of a changing climate, this bill strives to ensure the roads, bridges and other investments the country pays for will be here in the future.
“These investments will result in significant job creation and economic development. Given the country’s growing economic crisis, these investments are needed more than ever. We urge the full House to swiftly pass this bill and reach agreement with the Senate on legislation that can be signed into law to enable project work throughout the United States to proceed as soon as possible."
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.