On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives
passed and sent to the Senate the massive
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454). Several provisions in the climate bill are of interest to followers of church-state issues:
- Section 202 includes faith institutions and other non-profits in the group of nonresidential buildings that are eligible for assistance in retrofitting to achieve energy efficiency and improvements in water use.
The Washington Post last week reported that this provision was inserted at the last minute at the urging of a coalition developed by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations. the coalition also included the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches, United Jewish Communities, Rev. Joel Hunter of the Florida-based mega-church Northland, Rev. Jim Ball who heads the Evangelical Environmental Network, and Sojourners leader Rev. Jim Wallis. The coalition is working to increase the subsidy beyond the current 50%. Meanwhile the version of the climate bill being considered in the Senate does not contain a similar provision.
- Section 495 allows faith-based groups to be included as recipients of USAID funds to provide assistance to vulnerable developing countries in creating climate change adaptation plans.
- Section 482 protects Indian tribes from having certain culturally sensitive information that is obtained by the federal government disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. Under the bill, the Interior Department, in cooperation with states and Indian tribes, is to develop a National Wildlife Habitat Corridors Information Program. However, information received regarding Native American human remains, or about resources, cultural items, uses, or activities identified by an Indian tribe as traditional or cultural because of the long-established significance or ceremonial nature to the Indian tribe may not be disclosed under FOIA if the disclosure may cause a significant invasion of privacy, risk harm to the human remains or resources, cultural items, uses, or activities, or if it would impede the use of a traditional religious site.
