A new proposal unveiled Thursday attempts to bridge the gap between building American infrastructure and saving declining wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced a nationwide plan designed to protect at-risk bumble bees living on land used for energy and transportation.
The idea is straightforward: streamline the red tape for companies building roads and power lines, while simultaneously creating millions of acres of habitat for bees.
This new agreement arrives as the Trump administration pushes to ramp up domestic energy production. The proposal directly supports Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” which orders federal agencies to cut down on regulatory roadblocks.
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Under this plan, energy developers and transportation agencies—like state highway departments—would sign up for a voluntary conservation agreement. In exchange for maintaining bee-friendly habitats on their land, these partners get “regulatory assurances.”
This means if any of the covered bumble bee species are officially added to the Endangered Species Act list in the future, the companies won’t face surprise penalties or new restrictions, provided they are already following the agreed-upon rules.
The framework was proposed by the University of Illinois Chicago in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It covers the lower 48 states and focuses on 11 specific types of bumble bees.
This includes species that are already in serious trouble, like the endangered rusty patched bumblebee and Franklin’s bumblebee. It also covers nine other species considered “at-risk,” such as the American, western, and yellow-banded bumble bees.
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For utility companies and road builders, the plan offers certainty. They can modernize the grid or expand highways without worrying that finding a rare bee will suddenly halt their project.
For conservationists, it opens up vast stretches of land—like the grassy areas under power lines or along interstate highways—that can be managed to support pollinators.
The proposal is set to be published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2026. The government is asking the public to weigh in before making it official.
Anyone interested in sharing their thoughts has until February 23, 2026, to submit comments. You can view the full details and submit feedback online at www.regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS–R3–ES–2025–0245.
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