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SEEC elects leadership for the 117th Congress

March 11, 2021

Washington D.C. – The members of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition voted to re-elect SEEC co-chairs Reps Doris Matsui, Gerry Connolly and Paul Tonko, as well as Vice-Chairs Reps Chellie Pingree, Mike Quigley, Matt Cartwright, Alan Lowenthal, and A. Donald McEachin, for another term. The newly re-elected leaders made the following statements:

"I am honored to be reelected to serve another term as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition in the 117th Congress," said Congresswoman Matsui (CA – 6). "The urgency of the climate crisis necessitates bold, decisive action – and I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue to address the nation's most critical environmental challenges. SEEC's leadership promoting a clean energy economy is crucial to ensure that we make the needed investments to drive job growth and opportunity while we equitably move towards a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren."

"I thank my colleagues for their trust and confidence to serve another term as Co-Chair of the House Green Dogs," CongressmanConnolly (VA – 11) said."We have important and urgent work to do in the next two years. Across our country and around the globe, communities face an environmental crisis, from sea level rise, increased extreme weather incidents, and growing public health consequences. In the wake of President Trump's environmental recklessness, I look forward to working with the Biden administration to repair the damage and provide bold, equitable climate solutions."

"Across every corner of our country, the climate crisis is exacting a devastating impact on Americans, including from record severe storms, rampant wildfires, crumbling infrastructure or contaminated air and water," Congressman Tonko (NY – 21)said. "Now our nation is at a turning point. We have the opportunity to build back better than ever with needed action to develop clean energy, tackle the threat of climate change, create good-paying jobs and make a stronger, more resilient and more just economy for all. I am eager to seize this opportunity that will strengthen not only our own local communities but the world. I look forward to our continued partnerships among all of our SEEC members to advance smart, science-based policy that sets us on the course for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all."

"If we don't take an immediate, whole of government approach to solve the climate crisis, we face irreparable harm," saidCongresswoman Pingree (ME – 1). "Together with my colleagues on SEEC, we will meet this moment and reduce emissions; create good, clean jobs; and establish a more equitable future for all Americans. I'm honored to have been re-elected by my peers to help lead this coalition in the 117th Congress and look forward to the strength of our collaboration."

"It is an honor to be able to serve on leadership once again for one of the most important caucuses in Congress," Congressman Lowenthal (CA – 47) said. "SEEC has long been a critical coordination point for members to advance environmental, public health, and climate action and the 117th Congress will be our most important yet. The House set a bold agenda and introduced policies in the last Congress to address pollution, biodiversity, environmental justice, and the climate crisis. In this Congress, we will work with our colleagues in the Senate and the new Biden Administration to not only ensure that these important polices get put in place, but to also introduce additional legislation to address the climate crisis, environmental equity, and sustainable infrastructure."

"As our nation works to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, SEEC remains committed to protecting our environment and advocating for policies that support workers, advance the cause of environmental justice, and promote the development of sustainable infrastructure," saidCongressman McEachin (VA – 4). "I am honored to once again serve as a Vice-Chair of the Caucus and look forward to working alongside my colleagues in our shared fight for a sustainable and equitable future. Our climate crisis demands immediate action and I am proud to work alongside members committed to this cause."

"Promoting a sustainable environment is promoting jobs. Whether we're investing in making clean energy technology more efficient, building resilient infrastructure, or reclaiming abandoned mine lands like we're doing in my Pennsylvania district, we are creating more and better jobs," saidCongressman Matt Cartwright (PA – 8). "I'm looking forward to working with my fellow SEEC leaders and President Biden to address the climate crisis and expand economic opportunity."

"I'm honored to have been reelected by colleagues to serve as a SEEC Vice-Chair," saidCongressman Quigley (IL – 5). "I've spent my entire career fighting to protect our environment and I'm dedicated to continuing that fight alongside all of SEEC during the 117th Congress."

In January, SEEC called on President Biden and House Leadership to take immediate action on the climate crisis. The letter read in part:

"….we know that the country is facing interconnected crises—health, economic, racial, and climate—and like you, we believe we can help address them all by building back better as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This recovery will be our opportunity to justly and equitably rebuild and spur prosperity for decades to come. Central to this mission will be developing a recovery plan that addresses climate change—employing both investments and standards to put us on a path to zero-emissions, while creating millions of high-quality jobs and investing in frontline communities disproportionately burdened by pollution."

SEEC will continue to work closely with Committees, House Leadership and Senate partners to advance critical climate and equity policies this year.