Responding to and Recovering from Wildfire and Drought

Merkley, Curtis Lead Bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act

Bipartisan legislation removes regulatory burden on proactive forest management efforts to mitigate wildfires Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led their EPW colleagues—including Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Alex

New Merkley Bill Tackles Dual Crises of Wildfire Risk and Insurance Affordability

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today unveiled the Wildfire Insurance Affordability Act, new legislation that would help homeowners reduce wildfire risk, give insurers confidence in lowering home insurance rates in communities at risk of fires, and keep insurers in the market. “The threat of wildfires is sending

Merkley, Hyde-Smith, Bentz, Thompson Launch New Bipartisan Effort to Promote Renewable Fuels, Boost Wildfire Resiliency

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) partnered with U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) to introduce the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act. This new bipartisan, bicameral legislation proposes to modernize the definition for renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard, establishing

Merkley, Harder Push to Increase Federal Response for Hazardous Wildfire Smoke 

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Josh Harder (CA-09) today reintroduced the Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act, legislation to help communities respond to increasingly dangerous wildfire smoke events. The bicameral bill would create a federal framework for smoke emergencies, unlock resources to protect public health, support small businesses, and help communities weather worsening wildfire seasons.   “When the 2020

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