Joseph Skeen: “This is a good agreement. It provides $19.1 billion for our public lands, for Indian programs, for critical science and…”

“This is a good agreement. It provides $19.1 billion for our public lands, for Indian programs, for critical science and energy research programs, and for cultural institutions like the Smithsonian. Within that total there is $1.32 billion for the conservation spending initiative, which is the full amount available under the law for the Interior bill. Let me cover just a couple of the highlights. The conference agreement includes $210 million for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, $600 million for maintenance on our public lands and $144 million for State land and water conservation grants, an increase of $54 million above the enacted level. There is $275 million for low income weatherization assistance and State energy grants, an increase of $84 million above the enacted level. There is $150 million for a new clean coal power initiative, a key component of the Administration's National Energy Policy. All of these areas are Presidential priorities.”