"Senate Democrats released nine spending bills this afternoon as a way to get fiscal 2022 negotiations moving with the House, which has approved most of its own spending measures.
Senate Democrats are proposing $44.63 billion for Interior and environment programs, billions of dollars more than in fiscal 2021. A House-passed omnibus, H.R. 4502, in comparison, proposes $43.4 billion, also above 2021 levels.
Highlights in the Senate Interior-Environment bill include $120 million in new conservation initiatives, including the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps — a green jobs training and placement program that’s being considered as part of the reconciliation package.
The Senate bill would invest $2.45 billion in the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund to help mitigate the devastating fires across the West, plus make extra funding available to meet President Biden’s commitment that federal firefighters are paid at least $15 an hour for their work."
Manuel Quiñones and Emma Dumain report for E&E News October 18, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"Funds for Clean Fuel, Safe Streets in Senate Transportation Bill" (Bloomberg Environment)
"Democratic Appropriations Bills Would Increase Environmental Funding By $6B" (The Hill)
