1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

A Senate bill being sold as “permitting reform” could seriously weaken protections for our public lands, clean water, historic places, and sacred Tribal sites. S. 5653, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, would narrow environmental reviews and make it harder for communities to challenge harmful projects. The Native American Rights Fund warns it would weaken Tribal consultation and protections for cultural resources. Nine Tribal organizations have already called for harmful historic preservation provisions to be removed. Supporters point to its clean energy provisions. But expanding our electric grid should not come at the expense of clean water, Tribal sovereignty, or the public’s right to speak up about what gets built in their communities. Please oppose S. 5653 as written. Protect NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.