Environmental and energy policy brief

The environment is precious and needs protection. God created earth for people to live in and enjoy. However, there must be laws implemented to preserve and conserve the environment. Businesses and citizens often pollute the environment and waste its precious resources. The S. 826: WILD Act- is a bill that aims to reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and certain wildlife conservation funds (Congress, 2017). These funds can help protect endangered species and control invasive species that can have a detrimental effect on the environment. The bill has a 41% prognosis or chance of being passed.
May: Biblical guidelines and principles
The two main principles to discuss here are inalienable rights and natural law. Government interventions like the bill proposed are meant to protect what is God’s creation. Natural law means God’s law and part of what God wants from humanity is to protect and use wisely, the environment (Monsma, 2008). Inalienable rights also play into this issue because it is believed humans have a right to clean water and clean air. If pollution disrupts the ability to have clean air and water, efforts must be made to fix it. Therefore, government must aim to preserve and maintain the environment if following the Biblical principles of inalienable rights and natural law (Kraft & Furlong, 2017).
Constitutional guidelines for federal and state involvement
This bill reauthorizes the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and certain wildlife conservation funds allowing money to go towards protection of the environment, specifically endangered species. The regulation of practices affecting the environment like conservation and preservation methods is a relatively recent development for the American government (Conant & Balint, 2016). Under the 9th Amendment of the Constitution, the government can protect rights not enumerated in the Constitution (Potter, 2010). This can include environmental protection. The efforts of the American government to safeguard the environment was put into place through the introduction of the Environmental Protection Agency by President Nixon in 1970 (Conant & Balint, 2016). This action put into motion the need to produce measures that would keep standards high regarding the environment.
Can: Political Feasibility Comment by Fischer, Kahlib: One brief paragraph for each of these.
Introduced on June 8, 2017, it has a 41% chance of passing. The bill is sponsored by John Barrasso, Republican Junior Senator for Wyoming.
Financial feasibility
CBO.gov didn’t have a similar bill that was passed meaning no budget available. However, a recent grant was filed for The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for $25,000. So, the estimated cost would be $25,000 (ResearchFunding, 2018).
Practical feasibility
It makes the most sense to allow the same funds to go right back to doing the same function. I support the bill because it is humanity’s job to protect the environment. If it is our right to have clean air and clean water, the government must protect these rights accordingly. This includes protecting endangered species.
Should Comment by Fischer, Kahlib (Helms School of Government): Provide a summary of the key ideas of your analysis in support of your position. Must be based on the “May” and “Can” analysis. Offer a recommendation based upon the analysis.
The bill must be implemented especially because of the budget cuts done to the EPA and other important environmental safety measures. Endangered species must be protected, and invasive species controlled. If this is not done, negative effects could happen to the endangered species and humans inhabiting or using these areas.
References Comment by Fischer, Kahlib: List your sources in APA format below.
Conant, J. K., & Balint, P. J. (2016). The life cycles of the Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency: 1970-2035. Oxford University Press,.
Congress. (2017). WILD Act (S. 826). Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s826
Kraft, M. E., & Furlong, S. R. (2017). Public policy: Politics, analysis, and alternatives.
Monsma, S. (2008). Healing for a Broken World: Christian's Perspectives on Public Policy. Wheaton: Good News Publishers/Crossway Books.
Potter, B. A. (2010). The patriots handbook. Berkeley, CA: Ronin Pub.
ResearchFunding. (2018). The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program | Research Funding. Retrieved from https://researchfunding.duke.edu/partners-fish-and-wildlife-program