Climate Change

Climate Change represented by a split image of a healthy tree and a dead tree

Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are warming our planet and changing our climate at a rate that cannot be attributed to natural variations. We are already feeling the effects of climate change in the form of warmer temperatures, extreme weather variations, rising seas, and ocean acidification. Comprehensive climate solutions are available to us today. Clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and lower carbon transportation systems are possibilities right now, with existing technology. Growing an innovation economy will help to accelerate the deployment of these solutions while continuing to lower costs. Climate change is problem we cannot and should not neglect. Nearly every country on the planet, including the U.S., China, and India, have signed the Paris Climate Agreement to act on climate. If we continue to ignore the threats posed by climate change, we risk serious damage to our national and economic security, international collaboration, and the health and safety of our children, grandchildren, and all future generations.

More on Climate Change

Oct 24, 2017
SEEC Leaders Request Meeting with Chairman Brady to Discuss Sustainable Tax Reform
Washington D.C. – Today the members of SEEC leadership, led by Vice-Chair Rep. Jared Polis, sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady inviting him to meet and discuss sustainable tax policy solutions as Republicans draft their tax proposal.
Oct 10, 2017
SEEC Members Condemn Repeal of the Clean Power Plan
Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Gerry Connolly, and Paul Tonko released the following statement in response to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s announcement that the Trump Administration intends to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP).
Sep 20, 2017
Dems press Pruitt on protecting toxic sites during storms

Corbin Hiar, E and E News reporter

E and E News
House Democrats today pressed U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for information on how he will prepare the nation's most polluted and hazardous sites for the impacts of climate change. The letter, led by Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois, specifically asked Pruitt to elaborate on EPA's plans for containing contamination from Superfund sites, chemical plants and oil refineries during extreme weather events. Quigley is a vice chairman of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalitions. His letter was signed by all three SEEC co-chairs — Reps. Paul Tonko of New York, Doris Matsui of California and Gerald Connolly of Virginia — and fellow Vice Chairmen Jared Polis of Colorado and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania.
Sep 19, 2017
SEEC Members Question EPA Preparedness for Extreme Weather under Pruitt’s Leadership
Washington D.C. – Earlier today, SEEC members sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt regarding the Agency’s ability under his leadership to protect American communities from the growing threat of extreme weather.
Sep 07, 2017
Trump environment agency could reach lowest staff numbers in 30 years

Mythili Sampathkumar

The Independent
Democratic House of Representatives members Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko, and Doris Matsui said in a statement: “the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is a dire reminder of how important it is to have a fully staffed and funded EPA that can respond quickly to protect communities after disasters, whether from accidental releases of dangerous pollutants at chemical plants or flooding of toxic Superfund sites.”
Sep 07, 2017
EPA staffing nears lowest level in 30 years as environmental disasters pile up

Mark Hand

Think Progress
Members of Congress are criticizing efforts by the Trump administration and House Republicans to drastically reduce the size of the EPA, especially in light of recent environmental disasters, including flooding from Hurricane Harvey. H.R. 3354, an omnibus House spending bill, would fund the EPA at $528 million less than the fiscal 2017 enacted level. “We strongly oppose the harmful cuts proposed to the EPA in this bill,” Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Doris Matsui (D-CA), co-chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, said in a statement Thursday. “The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is a dire reminder of how important it is to have a fully staffed and funded EPA that can respond quickly to protect communities after disasters, whether from accidental releases of dangerous pollutants at chemical plants or flooding of toxic Superfund sites.”
Jun 1, 2017
SEEC Co-Chairs Condemn Decision to Withdraw from Paris Deal and Call for Continued Commitment to U.S. Climate Pledge from Leaders and Communities Across the Country
Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko, and Doris Matsui released the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.
May 30, 2017
SEEC Sends Tax Principles to House Ways & Means Committee

Washington D.C. – Today members of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee. The letter, led by SEEC Vice-Chair Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), details green tax reform priorities including financial incentives to reduce harmful carbon pollution, which should be the foundation of any tax reform plan. Early estimates suggest that a $25-per-ton surcharge on carbon would generate $977 billion over 10 years and provide a needed incentive to reduce carbon pollution over time.

May 26, 2017
SEEC Co-Chairs Oppose Trump Budget Cuts
Washington D.C. – Following the release of President Trump’s FY18 Budget, the Co-Chairs of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) made the following statements.
May 26, 2017
SEEC Co-Chairs Call on President Trump to stay in the Paris Climate Agreement
Washington D.C. – SEEC Co- Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) sent a letter today to President Donald Trump urging him to remain a party to the Paris Climate Agreement.
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