Local and Federal Policy Wins Advance Conservation At The Nature Conservancy, we believe in a world where people and nature thrive together. And although that world can, at times, feel far away, we know can get there by working together. Some recent policy wins at the state and federal level are examples of stakeholders coming together to create science-based, bipartisan policy solutions that work for both people and nature. In September 2021, Governor Pritzker signed The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act into law. The historic legislation significantly bolsters investments in renewable energy, sets decarbonization timelines for the fossil fuel industry, prioritizes pollution reduction in environmental justice communities and incentivizes workforce development for those most impacted by climate change, as well as a just transition for coal communities.
“What’s different about this legislation is that it centers on equity and is the first bill in the Midwest to require the complete phase-out of fossil fuels in the power sector,” says Ashley Maybanks, associate director of government relations for the Illinois chapter. TNC was among more than 200 organizations and businesses that, as part of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, worked over the last three years to advance equitable and robust climate policy in the state. “We are looking forward to monitoring how implementation evolves and continuing our work with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition,” says Maybanks. “It is essential that these newfound resources are allocated to the most impactful, on-theground projects and to communities most impacted by climate change.”
At the federal level, Congress passed the $1.2-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November. This bill will help address long-standing improvement needs for roads, culverts, levees, ports and other structures and make significant changes that support our nation’s natural resources. The bill makes critical investments in nature to ensure clean water, clean air, healthy fish and wildlife habitat and all of the other essential services and benefits nature provides. “We’re excited about the passage of the Infrastructure bill, and how we can leverage it to support our conservation efforts here in Illinois and in other TNC chapters across the country,” says Ellicia Sanchez, external affairs coordinator for the Illinois chapter. “It’s going to be a long-term, collaborative effort and the journey is just beginning.”
The U.S. Capitol building © Devan King/TNC nature.org/Illinois 3
