EWAC’s Mission
EWAC’s primary purpose is to support and assist its members’ actions to comply with federal wildlife laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). To further this mission, EWAC advocates for federal environmental policies and regulations that protect wildlife and related natural resources while ensuring that the electric power industry can deliver the safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy their customers need.
Through participation in EWAC, coalition members share their collective expertise to analyze and comply with the many complex and technical environmental regulations to which they are subject. As federal requirements are developed, implemented, and amended, members can cost-effectively track these changes through participation in EWAC to better meet their customers’ expectations.
EWAC supports public policies that are based on the best available science and that protect wildlife and natural resources reasonably, consistently, and cost-effectively under the ESA, MBTA, BGEPA, and other related statutes and regulations.
EWAC’s actions include representing its members’ interests in:
- Operation of existing assets (generation and transmission) and the development of new assets in a manner that is protective of wildlife and natural resources while ensuring the delivery of reliable, affordable electricity to customers.
- Participation in the public process for federal agencies’ development of regulations, policies, and guidance to promote consistency with the law and with EWAC’s mission.
- Development of permitting processes for protected species that meet statutory requirements and provide the flexibility needed to develop our nation’s critical infrastructure.
- Participation in the administrative process for listing or delisting endangered and threatened species.
- Provision of focused research and legal and scientific input on federal wildlife laws and regulations.
- Development of member education materials through meetings, conference calls, webinars, and legal analyses.
- Coordination with trade associations and other interest groups involved in similar issues.
- Consideration of strategic litigation opportunities.
The electric power industry is leading a profound transformation that is delivering America’s energy future, and they are doing so in ways that protect the environment and natural resources. The industry has a long history of going beyond regulatory requirements to conserve our natural resources and wildlife, and electric companies remain committed to being good stewards of our land while providing reliable, affordable, secure, and increasingly clean energy to U.S. homes and businesses.
Federal environmental regulations establish important safeguards to protect our land and natural resources, but they can also have significant impacts on the development of energy infrastructure, including project planning, financing, construction, and operation, which can in turn increase costs for electricity customers. This is particularly so as regulatory obligations continue to become more complex and the electric sector moves to modernize the energy grid and transition to clean, renewable energy sources.
The Energy and Wildlife Action Coalition (EWAC), whose members consist of investor-owned electric companies, independent power producers, electric transmission providers, renewable energy developers, and related trade associations, is committed to addressing the growing needs of the electric power sector in responding to the changing regulatory environment.
