Contents:

1. E&C Committee could reach major accord tonight

2. Take Action: National Call-In continues

3. President's budget includes funding for adaptation

4. Interior Department fails to overturn "Polar Bear Rule"

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1. Waxman calls for after-hours meeting on ACES

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is planning to meet tonight, with indications that clean energy and cap-and-trade legislation will be front and center. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman and Rep. Ed Markey, has been the subject of intense negotiations among committee Democrats for the last month. Several key Members of Congress have stated that natural resources funding is an essential component of the bill and have been calling for 5% of the value of allocations to safeguard natural resources, but this is still in flux. Chairman Waxman is still pressing for the Bill to move through committee by his Memorial Day deadline, which gives the committee just a few more days to negotiate. Indications are we could see full draft - that has the support of the majority of the committee - by Thursday.

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2. National Call-In Day -- Keep up the pressure!

The National Wildlife Federation staged a national call-in day last week in support of funding for natural resources. Organizations from coast to coast helped mobilize grassroots support, asking Congress to include a dedicated funding stream in climate legislation. If you have not yet done so, please take a few minutes to call your representative. The ACES act has reached a critical point, and your phone call could mean the difference between healthy ecosystems or dwindling natural resources.

To contact your Member of Congress, call the House of Representatives switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Sample Call Script: Hello, this is [NAME] from [Town or Organization]. I am calling today to ask for [Representative NAME's] support. As Congress considers global warming legislation, please PASS comprehensive global warming legislation this year that invests an average of 5% of the total allowance value annually to safeguard natural resources for people and wildlife. Natural resources, from forests to coasts to wildlife [or local example] are critical to human health and the economy. Safeguarding them from the impacts of global warming is an investment in our children's future and will help create jobs now. Can I count on [Representative NAME's] support for natural resource investment in global warming legislation? Thank you for your time, and have a nice day.

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3. President's budget includes funding for adaptation

President Obama's FY 2010 budget (introduced last week) includes significant new funding for addressing climate impacts on wildlife: $133 million in new funding is requested, including $80 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Of this, $40 million will go to the State Wildlife Grants Program to assist states to incorporate climate change into wildlife action plans, a high priority for NWF. While not on the level of a dedicated stream from climate legislation, the budget request is another important indicator that the White House takes climate change seriously.

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4. Polar Bear rule stands

The Department of Interior (DOI) announced its decision last week on the controversial "Polar Bear Rule" of the Endangered Species Act issued by the previous administration. The rule weakens polar bear habitat protections and downplays the causal link between global warming pollution and the decline of the bears' sea ice habitat.

The Obama administration announced on Friday that it will not repeal the polar bear rule, while simultaneously acknowledging sea ice melt caused by climate change to be the greatest threat to the polar bear. DOI Secretary Ken Salazar and President Obama say that they remain committed to a comprehensive energy and climate strategy that curbs climate change and its impacts on natural resources. Secretary Salazar said DOI would continue to evaluate options for utilizing the Endangered Species Act to aid the recovery of the polar bear.

This decision only accentuates the need for Congress to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation that both reduces emissions and provides dedicated funding to safeguard wildlife and natural resources from climate impacts, as any project that adds more carbon to the atmosphere will increase the risk of the polar bears extinction.