Western Lawmakers Prepare Bills to Modernize Endangered Species Act
The Daily Signal cites Director of the Center for Energy and Environment Myron Ebell on the Endangered Species Act:
Myron Ebell, director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington, told lawmakers he sees cause for encouragement in the Trump administration’s reforms and the package of legislation crafted to modernize the Endangered Species Act.
Ebell noted that a research paper published last year by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “’Whatever the Cost’ of the Endangered Species Act, It’s Huge,” offers suggested policy changes to improve the transparency and accountability of listings under law and designations of critical habitat.
“Our motto at CEI has been the ESA is bad for wildlife because it’s often bad for people,” Ebell said. “The reason is because the costs of dealing with endangered species and protecting habitat and recovery are often borne by private landowners.”
Ebell said Congress should authorize “a comprehensive audit” of the costs of the law and pass legislation that compensates property owners for “regulatory takings.” (His complete comments are available here.)