Federal and state policies on global climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change
, economic recovery, and national energy security drive the development of a variety of domestic energy sources. Energy resource development is increasing, including traditional energy sources such as oil, gas and coal, and renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. Energy development is necessary to meet the needs of the American public, but there often are environmental impacts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) helps energy developers avoid and minimize those impacts.

The Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service provides developers, landowners, other federal agencies, states, and tribal entities with information and guidance regarding wildlife issues and federal laws and regulations. Our energy-related work ranges in scale from assistance for individual projects to coordinating with partners to plan across landscapes. The initial contact is usually with Ecological Services Program field offices, but coordination of any required permits or access agreements for projects on Service lands may be with the appropriate Service management office (e.g., national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, or administrative lands).

Learn more about the Service's role in reviewing energy development projects.

Learn more about the laws and policies in place to protect plants and animals affected by energy production.

Contact Information

Programs

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...
Pronghorn running through sagebrush with natural gas field facility in background.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works collaboratively with other federal agencies, industries, and other stakeholders to achieve infrastructure development goals in ways that are sustainable and compatible with the conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

Library Collections

Pronghorn running through sagebrush with natural gas field facility in background.
Browse our library for more information on the work we do, conservation projects, and guidance and policy for energy and infrastructure development.
rows of gray solar panels stand out against the dry desert background. Solar panel installers wearing yellow vests work on the panels.
Browse our library for more information on energy technologies and impacts, guidance for energy and development projects, and related policies and authorities.