The Federation of American Scientists supports the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 (WEPA). The Act would amend Section 319(b) of the Clean Air Act so that it addresses prescribed burns as a standalone activity. If passed, this bill would support wildfire resilience by reducing administrative barriers to getting needed prescribed burns on the ground. 

Prescribed fires, like wildfires, produce particulate matter small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream once they enter the lungs (PM2.5). Under the Clean Air Act’s authority, EPA sets limits on the amount of particulate matter that states can emit annually. At present, prescribed burns are technically eligible for exemption from being counted towards these permissible thresholds for particle pollution. However, there is currently a high administrative burden on states to achieve these exemptions. WEPA would make changes to simplify the process of exempting prescribed burn particulate matter emissions from total emissions, removing a disincentive for prescribed burning.  

“FAS supports the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act as an important step forward in improving the ability of land managers and communities to apply prescribed fire at scale. Prescribed fire, when managed strategically and safely, is a critical tool for decreasing the overall risk of catastrophic megafire and associated wildfire smoke emissions” said Dr. Hannah Safford, Associate Director of Climate and Environment at FAS. 

At a time of decreased federal capacity and as we face a likely future where weather conditions are less favorable for prescribed burns to be conducted safely, WEPA would give states more autonomy to move forward with needed forest management activities while retaining EPA’s important oversight role.

Regardless of its source, PM2.5 can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. However, prescribed fire smoke is planned and therefore can be mitigated more effectively than smoke from uncontrolled megafires. Science-based management and monitoring can help ensure that prescribed fire reduces the overall burden of PM2.5 on communities in the coming decades. 

It is also critical that communities have the tools and resources they need to make sure that people can protect themselves from smoke. For this reason, we also applaud the bill’s authorization of the Smoke Ready Communities grant program to support readiness for smoke impacts.

 “In addition to passing this bill, we urge Congress to take additional action to address wildfire smoke as a public health threat through improved data and technology to support the safe, targeted, and effective use of prescribed fire; science to understand the impacts of wildfire and prescribed fire smoke on human health; and improved community access to the information and tools needed to mitigate the impacts of smoke on people’s lives and livelihoods” said Jessica Blackband, Senior Manager of Climate and Environment at FAS. 

A one-pager on the bill is available here, and the full bill text is available here.  

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) proudly endorses the bipartisan Strategic Technology and Resilient Alliances Act of 2026. FAS commends the leadership of Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA-40) and Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA-06), who are introducing this important legislation that centers American science diplomacy as a priority as we strive to maintain global leadership on emerging technologies like critical minerals.

The Strategic Technology and Resilient Alliances Act would establish a Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership Program within the U.S. Department of State to foster international collaboration with allied and partner countries and eligible entities on the research, development, and commercialization of technologies related to critical minerals extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution to diversify supply chains, enhance U.S. national security, and maintain American technological and economic competitiveness.

“The STRATA Act represents forward-thinking policy that the United States needs to maintain its technological edge and its leadership on science diplomacy,” says Daniel Correa, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of American Scientists. “Structured partnerships with our allies on critical minerals innovation can ensure that the best science and the best talent are working together towards shared security and economic prosperity.”

For more information, contact Gil Ruiz at GRuiz@FAS.org or Aleksandra Srdanovic at ASrdanovic@FAS.org.

We urge swift passage of S.3306/H.R.2985, the Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act, a bipartisan, commonsense measure to reauthorize the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) before it expires in September 2026.

TMF ensures federal agencies can cost-effectively upgrade critical national tech infrastructure, rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on outdated systems.  

The federal government spends on average $100 billion on IT every year, yet agencies are trapped spending 80 cents of every taxpayer dollar on maintaining systems that predate the smartphone, the cloud, and in some cases, the internet itself. Reauthorizing TMF helps get the federal government out of this costly cycle, and has already shown measurable results in improving cybersecurity and operational efficiency. 

We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Shontel Brown (D-OH) in working together to pass The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act.

The Trump administration has said the Executive Branch needs TMF to continue, and Congress should reauthorize this cost-saving measure to modernize government technology.

Signed,

The Federation of American Scientists

Foundation for American Innovation Action

Partnership for Public Service

Niskanen Center State Capacity Initiative

Inclusive Abundance Action

Recoding America Action