The Evangelical Environmental Network Applauds Passage of the Energy Bill

Statement by Rev. Mitch Hescox:

“This morning the Senate passed overwhelmingly the Energy Policy Modernization Bill, S. 2012, by a vote of 85 to 12.  Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Cantwell (D-WA) are to be commended for their excellent bipartisan leadership on this resounding vote.”

“With our Pro-Life Clean Energy Campaign my organization has begun an effort to get 500,000 pro-life Christians to support a goal of 100% clean energy from renewables by 2030.  This bill provides some modest steps in this direction, including support for micro-grids (solar plus storage that can operate when the power goes out), a study on net metering that will help with battles in the states, energy efficiency measures, assistance for low-income households to bolster efficiency, and the authorization of billions more in clean tech R&D.”

“EEN has also been heavily involved in the fight to get the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanently reauthorized, and we are pleased that S. 2012 does this.  Using royalties from offshore drilling, and without costing taxpayers a dime, over its 50-year history LWCF has helped our country protect 2.2 million acres in all 50 states, and is responsible for more than 40,000 state and local outdoor recreation projects.  Our national parks and public lands — from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to public baseball fields and playgrounds — are a gift from God that must be cherished and preserved.”

“Obviously, much more work remains to be done.  But it is good for us to pause and thank Senators Murkowski and Cantwell for their bipartisan leadership.”

“Now it is on to a Conference with the House, whose bill leaves much to be desired.  We will pray that Senators Murkowski and Cantwell remain strong and reject the unhelpful provisions of the House bill.  Pro-life Christians are counting on them to do so.”

Oppose Rep. Bishop’s Proposed Legislation to Gut the Land and Water Conservation Fund

A Statement from the Rev. Mitch Hescox
President/CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network

As pro-life Christians, we believe God to be good stewards of the bounty upon which all life depends, to protect and defend the unborn, the beauty and purity of the land and water, to have clean skies and fresh air for our children to enjoy.  As Genesis teaches us, we were created in God’s image and entrusted with the proper care of His creation, to “tend and keep it” (Gen. 1:26; 2:15).  Our national parks and public lands — from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to public baseball fields and playgrounds — are a gift from God that must be cherished and preserved.

As stewards we must be ever vigilant against threats while we simultaneously ensure the care  of what has been entrusted to us.  As citizens we must support policies in keeping with these American values.  Such policies boil down to providing protection, including adequate funding to do so.

Unfortunately, Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT, 1^st), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced a bill today that would effectively end America’s best parks program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  Using royalties from offshore drilling, and without costing taxpayers a dime, over its 50-year history LWCF has helped our country protect 2.2 million acres in all 50 states, and is responsible for more than 40,000 state and local outdoor recreation projects such as playgrounds, urban parks, refuges, and baseball fields.  Rep. Bishop now wants to take these dedicated funds away.  In addition, his bill would put 172 national parks at risk of development, limits funds for public access, and puts outdoor recreation jobs at risk.  This is the opposite of good stewardship.

We urge all House members, especially Members of the Natural Resources Committee, to OPPOSE Rep. Bishop’s bill, and instead SUPPORT reauthorization and full funding of LWCF.  We will support those who do the right thing and protect God’s creation. Let’s keep America beautiful for all Americans.

Senate On Path to Reauthorize The Land Water Conservation Fund

The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 unveiled yesterday displays bipartisan support in a way that sorely missing in recent years.  We are thankful to the Chair of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Cantwell (D-WA) for their leadership, and Sen. Daines (R-MT) for his support.

Of great importance to The Evangelical Environmental Network and over 42,000 pro-life Christians in Colorado, Montana, Ohio, Illinois, and Tennessee is the reauthorization of The Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Without costing the taxpayer a dime, LWCF provides recreational opportunities to all Americans. It does so by using offshore oil and natural gas royalties to fund land and water conservation projects, outdoor recreation access, and the continued preservation of our nation’s historic, cultural heritage.  From our iconic National Parks to local community parks, trails, and ball fields, LWCF helps keep America beautiful.

Our prayer is that the Senate will move forward with LWCF and the House will join as well.  The work is not over.  As our petition signed by over 42,000 puts it:

As pro-life Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the bounty upon which all life depends, to protect and defend the beauty and purity of the land and water, to have clean skies and fresh air for our children to enjoy. Our public lands are essential to our quality of life; they are national treasures. That’s why we call on Congress to reauthorize the Land Water Conservation Fund and to defend the Antiquities Act and all God’s lands it protects, and to reject selling off America’s precious lands and waters.

The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 displays the bipartisan efforts that all Americans expect of our elected leaders.  Thank you to the entire Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
Katherine Lee Bates, 1859-1929