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SEEC Elects 115th Congress Leadership

January 30, 2017

Washington D.C. - Members of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) have unanimously elected Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs to serve as SEEC Leadership in the 115th Congress. SEEC Leadership will serve through the end of 115th Congress.

Co-Chairs:

Rep. Gerald Connolly (VA)

Rep. Paul Tonko (NY)

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA)

Vice-Chairs:

Rep. Jared Polis (CO)

Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME)

Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA)

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA)

Rep. Mike Quigley (IL)

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Congressman Gerald Connolly represents Fairfax and Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia. As a Co-Chair of SEEC, he has worked to reduce fuel convoy deaths among U.S. soldiers, expand weatherization programs for American homeowners, and protect public lands. He serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he is ranking member on the Subcommittee on Government Operations. Prior to his election to Congress, Connolly served as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, the largest jurisdiction in the Washington metropolitan area, where he spearheaded the Cool Counties climate stabilization initiative.

“I’m honored to be re-elected a co-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. With the President-elect's choices to head the EPA and Department of Energy harboring such deep anti-environment views, our coalition in Congress is more important now than ever,” said Rep. Connolly.

Image removed.Congressman Paul Tonko is currently serving his fifth term representing New York’s 20th District. A nationally recognized expert on clean energy policy, Rep. Tonko served 15 years as Chair of the NYS Assembly Energy Committee, and as President/CEO of the New York State Energy Research Development Authority. He serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment.

"I am honored to be rejoining the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition for the 115th Congress, and I am humbled and grateful to my colleagues for their confidence in electing me to serve another term as Co-Chair of this highly productive group. We must continue to fight to ensure that we are making long-term investments in the water infrastructure that keeps our families safe as well as in the clean energy technologies that will drive American job growth and opportunity while safeguarding the air we breathe for centuries to come. These issues demand our immediate attention and urgent action. I look forward to continuing to advance these priorities with my SEEC colleagues in the coming term,” said Rep. Tonko.

Image removed.Congresswoman Doris Matsui represents the 6th District of California, which includes the capitol city of Sacramento and its surrounding areas. She has served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee since 2008 where she advocates for policies that would level the playing field for clean energy companies and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. As a member of the Health and Environment Subcommittees, she is interested in the public health impacts of climate change. A dedicated advocate of clean energy technology and consumer protection, she is a senior member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, a member of the Digital Commerce & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, and a Co-Chair of the Congressional High-Tech Caucus.

“I look forward to working with my SEEC colleagues during the 115th Congress to address the most critical environmental issues facing our nation and world. SEEC’s leadership in promoting our clean energy economy is critical to job creation, environmental protection, and America’s economic future,” said Rep. Matsui.

Image removed.Congressman Jared Polis was first elected in 2008 and represents Colorado’s Second Congressional District. This beautiful district includes Colorado’s central mountains, which boast the nation’s top ski and recreation destinations, as well as Boulder and Fort Collins, epicenters for innovative startups and home to two of Colorado’s flagship universities which house climate research and clean energy development programs. As a Vice-Chair of SEEC, Polis has led efforts to promote investment in breakthrough energy innovation, preserve of our public lands and natural resources, and protect clean air and drinking water for all Americans. Polis serves as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee and Committee on Education and the Workforce.

“Regardless of who is in the Oval Office, we cannot afford to temper our efforts to combat climate change. We need advocates, like the ones in the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition, to band together, and make a difference for our planet and future generations. That’s why I’m proud to lead this group as Vice-Chair. America needs to step up as a leader in clean energy, protecting our public lands, and clean air and water,” said Rep. Polis.

Image removed.Congresswoman Chellie Pingree began her working life in Maine as an organic farmer on the island of North Haven, where she lives today. She has successfully started several small businesses and currently owns the Nebo Inn and Restaurant and the Turner Farm on the island. Pingree is a member of the Appropriations Committee and has been a national leader on agriculture reform that supports healthy, sustainable food and farm policy.

“In my home state of Maine, the health of our natural resources is key to people’s livelihoods and climate change is already threatening jobs and our way of life. For these reasons and more, I’ve been proud to serve with my colleagues on the Sustainable Energy and Environment Committee, where we are a united voice in Congress for a more sustainable future. That work is more important now than ever before,” said Rep. Pingree.

Image removed.Congressman Matt Cartwright represents Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Lehigh Valley. In the 114th Congress, Cartwright introduced 65 bills heavily focused on protecting the environment from exemptions and loopholes in fundamental environmental protection statues. During his tenure in the House, Cartwright has introduced more bipartisan bills than any other Democrat. Cartwright is on the House Committee for Appropriations, where he serves on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee and the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. Cartwright is also a member of the Steering and Policy Committee, and is the Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on policies that advance clean energy technology innovation, develop renewable resources, and create green collar jobs,” said Rep. Cartwright.

Image removed.Congressman Alan Lowenthal represents California’s 47th Congressional District. Before being elected to Congress Lowenthal served for two-decades as a city council member and California legislator where he fought against the private and public sector belief that environmental protections and economic success at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles were mutually exclusive. His landmark environmental legislative efforts helped lead the adjacent ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to becoming the cleanest and greenest ports in the world, while remaining the busiest and most successful container port complex in the Western Hemisphere. Lowenthal serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, and is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. He is also a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Image removed.Congressman Mike Quigley was elected to represent Illinois’ 5th District on April 7, 2009. A former Cook County Commissioner who began his career through environmental stewardship and community service in the Lakeview neighborhood, Mike has served his community for more than thirty years. He is the only Illinois member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. A life-long member of the Sierra Club, Mike is a stalwart defender of the environment, supporting legislation that promotes clean energy development, reduces harmful carbon and methane emissions, and protects our public lands and wildlife.

“I am honored to be chosen by my colleagues as a new Vice-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. Preserving clean air, clean water, and healthy ecosystems is vital to ensuring robust and sustained economic growth and protecting a world we are proud to hand to our children and grandchildren,” said Rep. Quigley. “As Vice-Chair, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in SEEC to introduce and advocate for legislation that defends the environment and promotes renewable and local energy. Our efforts to ensure the federal government lives up to its obligations to protect America's precious natural resources and biodiversity will continue to grow in the 115th Congress. This life-saving work is more important than ever.”