Rep. Evans’ Celebrates the Passage of the Bipartisan FIRE/WEPA Act through the Senate

WASHINGTON —Today, Congressman Gabe Evans celebrated the passage of his bipartisan companion legislation in the U.S. Senate that builds on the commonsense reforms included in the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year with bipartisan support.

Led by Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) incorporates key provisions championed by Congressman Evans to make it easier for states to use prescribed fires to prevent catastrophic wildfires while ensuring communities are not unfairly penalized under the Clean Air Act for proactive wildfire mitigation efforts. The Senate legislation also provides greater regulatory certainty for states, protects ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and helps communities better prepare for future wildfire seasons.

“I welcome the unanimous passage of the Senate compromise on FIRE/WEPA. This legislation builds on my bipartisan solution to codify prescribed fires in the exceptional events process to prevent wildfires, creating regulatory certainty for communities, protecting jobs and the economy, and allowing states to take proactive steps to improve their air quality instead of being punished for emissions beyond their control. Meaningful permitting reform that continues to protect Americans health and safety while making commonsense improvements remains one of my top priorities. I look forward to this package returning to the House for final approval before being sent to the President’s desk.” — Congressman Gabe Evans

Background

In April, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Evans' bipartisan FIRE Act, legislation to modernize the Clean Air Act by ensuring states are not penalized for emissions caused by wildfires and prescribed burns while encouraging proactive forest management and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

The Senate companion bill builds on those same principles by making it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, providing certainty that states will not be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires, promoting the efficient use of state air quality resources, and making forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.