From the Inbox - Speak Out for Wildlife Friendly Energy

Let's Get Clean Energy Right We need to ensure large-scale solar projects protect struggling wildlife like rare desert tortoises. Urge your senators and representative to cosponsor the Clean Energy, Community Investment and Wildlife Conservation Act. Dear Friend, We’ve all seen the tragic images of oil-soaked birds and beaches in the Gulf -- a terrible reminder of our addiction to dirty energy sources. But new legislation in Congress would set us on the path to a clean energy future -- while protecting wildlife and the places it needs to survive. Take action now. Urge your senators and representative to support the Clean Energy, Community Investment and Wildlife Conservation Act (S. 3587 and H.R. 5735). This bill, introduced By Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and by Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) in the House, will help accelerate our transition to a green energy economy, produce new jobs, and ensure that risks to wildlife and wild lands are avoided, minimized and mitigated. Without proper guidance, renewable energy can spell disaster for threatened and imperiled wildlife. If built in the wrong place, large-scale solar projects can damage vital habitat for struggling desert tortoises and wind turbines can kill rare whooping cranes if placed in vital migration routes. But carefully and responsibly planned renewable energy projects can quickly be built to meet our energy needs -- and protect our wildlife and wild places. Tell your senators and representative to cosponsor legislation to make renewable energy smart from the start! The offshore Gulf oil disaster shows the horrible consequences of our dependency on fossil fuels -- and the need to transition to cleaner, more wildlife-friendly sources to meet our energy needs. The Clean Energy, Community Investment and Wildlife Conservation Act is a great first step toward ensuring renewable energy development happens smart from the start. The bill will help ensure that wind and solar energy development happens on the most suitable lands with strong guidance to minimize water use and impacts to fish and wildlife habitat. It will also guarantee that a portion of the funds generated by the development of renewable energy on public lands goes toward safeguarding wildlife and wild spaces. Please write your elected officials today to support this important legislation. Together, we can achieve our clean energy future while protecting our diverse wildlife and treasured landscape. Sincerely, Marcia Lesky Director of National Outreach Defenders of Wildlife