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EcoNews Report: The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA)

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act is being considered by the Senate. To its supporters, including some Democrats motivated by a desire to fast-track renewable energy development, the bill provides "streamlining" of environmental laws to reduce costs of project permitting and increase certainty for investors. To its detractors, including this week's guest, Marlyn Twitchell of the Western Environmental Law Center, the law is a dangerous rollback of environmental laws. Because the law is energy- and technology-neutral—meaning that it applies to more than just renewables but basically every major project on federal lands—it means that its not just renewables that could be expedited, from data centers to ICE detention facilities.

In addition to being a host on EcoNews Report, Scott Greacen is also Executive Director of Friends of the Eel River. Scott is a graduate of Reed College and Lewis and Clark Law School, and a member of the California bar. He has been active in the environmental movement since 1989.
Jennifer Kalt is the Director of Humboldt Baykeeper, which works to safeguard coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community. The Baykeeper edition of the Northcoast Environmental Center's EcoNews Report airs on the third Thursday of the month, and features interviews of the many fascinating people involved in Humboldt Bay issues. For more info, visit humboldtbaykeeper.org.
Tom Wheeler is the Program Director and Staff Attorney at the Environmental Protection Information Center. Tom graduated from the University of Washington School of Law with a concentration in Environmental Law. When he’s not nerding out over the Endangered Species Act (his all-time favorite law), Tom is probably plunking the banjo, playing ping-pong with his wife, Jenna, or petting his cats, Fatty and Trim. Tom can be reached at tom@wildcalifornia.org.