Urgent Action Opportunities

Urgent Action Opportunities

As people of faith who are committed to being responsible stewards of God’s creation, protecting the health and wellbeing of all people, and engaging in the public square to contribute to a more just and sustainable society, we believe we must respond to this proposal. Will you and/or your faith community give testimony during the comment period on these important items?

1st – the Nat’l Highways Traffic Safety Admin.
(NHTSA) plans to reduce the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards

Proposed in early Dec., this plan means that automakers will be no longer have incentive to make vehicles as fuel efficient as those currently on the market - meaning new cars and trucks will burn more gas per mile and result in greater costs at the pump and more vehicle pollution in the air. The Administration is accepting public feedback through written comments and oral testimony in the coming month.

You can submit public comments before Jan 20th by midnight HERE

Faith organizations can submit a statement here by Jan 19th at 10AM.  Faith organizations can submit HERE 

Find more information, such as an outline for testimony as well as some talking points you may want to use relevant to support your personal reasons for testifying, go HERE: 

2nd – The 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program

As of September 1, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages 2,073 active offshore oil and gas leases covering about 11.2 million acres. Offshore production accounts for roughly 15 percent of the nation’s domestic oil output. The Outer Continental Shelf is estimated to contain about 68.8 billion barrels of oil and 229 trillion cubic feet of natural gas yet to be discovered. This 2026-2031 program including planning areas will have each lease undergo review, environmental analysis and the opportunity for public comment.

Here is a good article that further describes this situation: https://natlawreview.com/article/epa-and-army-corps-propose-narrower-definition-waters-united-states

Here is a link to a press release about this: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-launches-expansive-11th-national-offshore-leasing-program-advance-us-energy

Under the new proposal for the 2026–2031 the Interior is taking steps to boost US energy independence by leasing as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of 27 existing Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres, including 21 off of Alaska, 7 in the Gulf of America (including a new planning area) and 6 along the Pacific coast. You can find a map of these areas HERE

This national program began in April and went through a comment period, in April with more than 86K comments, which informed a new proposal. Before the program and individual lease sales are finalized, the public may comment in this 60 day comment period which will end on January 23rd.  

The outline of the proposal can be found HERE. 

The docket regarding the proposal on regulations.gov’s website is housed HERE. 

Faith communities can add themselves to an "Faith-Based Organizational Sign-On" HERE. 

Individual comments can be submitted HERE.

Other Federal Legislation Info

Revised Definition of Waters of the US (which are protected by the Clean Water Act)

Information regarding this implementation being carried out based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v EPA can be found on the EPA’s website HERE.  

The 2025 Proposed “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Rule Fact Sheet is available HERE.

Another fact sheet regarding focusing on the Agricultural Community is available HERE. 

This redefinition will mean many wetlands, streams, and other bodies of water will be left unprotected from pollution, chemical runoff, and development. Early estimates suggest that this rule could result in the loss of up to 80% of our nations wetlands. 

While the comment period for this for individuals and for faith organizations ended on Jan. 5th we hope you will stay informed and be ready to speak up when the inevitable occurs – Here is part of the faith community sign on sent to affiliates of IPL in late December, of which you may find useful in further opportunities to testify. 

**Update on Federal Bill - HR4776 – The Speed Act – We signed on opposing this bill last month. It passed the House on 12/18. This changes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allowing projects to move ahead with less scrutiny on environmental impacts, especially new research and projects. We will be watching to see how this may impact local projects.