Bill > S188

This bill, the Wildfire Emergency Act of 2023, aims to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration and land management projects across the National Forest System. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing a pilot program that allows the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into "conservation finance agreements" with public or private entities to carry out large-scale landscape restoration projects on National Forest System lands. This leverages non-Federal investment to supplement Federal funding for these projects. 2. Creating a critical infrastructure and microgrid program to improve the energy resilience and power needs of critical facilities like hospitals, police stations, and schools through the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and on-site storage. 3. Expanding the definition of "weatherization materials" to include fire- and drought-resistant building materials, and requiring their use in the Weatherization Assistance Program. 4. Directing the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment like sensors and cameras, and utilize new technologies for wildfire analysis and situational awareness. 5. Establishing one or more Western Prescribed Fire Centers to train individuals in prescribed fire methods and conduct research on wildfire mitigation. 6. Creating a competitive grant program to support workforce development and public education related to careers in forestry and fire management. 7. Establishing a National Community Capacity and Land Stewardship Grant Program to increase community capacity and partnerships, especially in disadvantaged communities, for land stewardship activities on National Forest System lands.