FCNL is pleased to announce the introduction of the bipartisan Transparency in Energy Production Act of 2016.
Original cosponsors include Rep. Lowenthal (D-CA), Rep. Gibson (R-NY), Rep. Tsongas (D-MA), Rep. Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Rep. Curbelo (R-FL).
This bill requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to publicly disclose the amounts and sources of greenhouse gas emissions coming from public lands. It creates an online database to monitor emissions from fossil fuel extraction, including vented, flared, and leaked natural gas. Importantly, the bill also requires the DOI to report on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuel development on public lands.
A 2012 study found that almost 25% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. originate on public lands. It is important that these emissions be systematically measured and reported, so effective solutions can be crafted that will put the U.S. on the path to meet its emissions reductions goals.
We applaud this bipartisan effort to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions coming from Federal lands. Members of both parties are coming together in recognition that our nation needs a comprehensive understanding of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, in order to craft effective solutions. As people of faith, we are heartened by this cooperative step in Congress towards understanding and addressing the challenge of climate change.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
