This bill establishes additional support for forest restoration, the power needs of critical facilities (e.g., hospitals) during extreme weather events, and wildfire mitigation and management.
The bill directs the Forest Service to conduct a 10-year pilot program to carry out up to 20 conservation finance projects to protect, restore, or improve National Forest System land. Such conservation finance projects must (1) leverage other federal or nonfederal investments in addition to funds provided by the Forest Service; and (2) use loaned capital from an investor to cover up-front project costs, with the loaned capital repaid over time by conservation finance project beneficiaries.
The Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program to improve the energy resilience and energy efficiency of critical facilities (e.g., hospitals).
The bill expands DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program to include support for the use of fire-resistant materials and to increase the amount of financial assistance that may be provided to households for increasing the energy efficiency of their homes.
The bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to take certain actions related to detecting and monitoring wildfires.
The Forest Service and Interior must also establish one or more centers in western states to train individuals in methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk.
Additionally, the Forest Service must establish a grant program to support workforce development in forestry and fire management.
Finally, the Forest Service may issue grants to increase community capacity for certain land stewardship activities.