Environment

Environment. image of a seedling

Burning, polluted rivers and visibly polluted air were some of the factors that led to the first major environmental laws in our country. Environment and public health are closely linked and although the days of pouring chemicals into waterways and air pollution as thick as pea soup have passed there are still many challenges facing our environment and affecting public health. Aging transportation and water systems should be replaced to improve air and water quality. We need to protect our National Parks and other American public lands in order to preserve the unique diversity of plant and animal life, as well as our cultural heritage. And we should work to develop our cities, communities and rural areas more sustainably, including with more sustainable agricultural practices.

More on Environment

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.”
Sep 7, 2017
SEEC Co-Chairs Condemn EPA Cuts that Put Families and Communities at Risk
Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko, and Doris Matsui released the following statement in response to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget cuts in H.R. 3354, the omnibus appropriations bill on the House Floor this week.
Aug 18, 2017
Over 100 Dems urge Pruitt to keep Obama reg

Ariel Wittenberg, E and E News reporter

E and E News
More than 100 members of the House today called on U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to think twice before repealing the Clean Water Rule. Signed by 102 lawmakers, the letter was led by members of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.
Aug 18, 2017
SEEC Members Lead Opposition to Pruitt’s Repeal of Clean Water Protections
Washington D.C. – Today 102 members in the U.S. House of Representatives called on Secretary Pruitt to stop and consider the dangers of repealing the Clean Water Rule.
Jun 27, 2017
SEEC Opposes Administrator Pruitt’s Efforts to Repeal Clean Water Protections
Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Leadership, including Co-Chairs Reps. Paul Tonko, Gerry Connolly, and Doris Matsui and Vice-Chairs Reps. Matt Cartwright, Alan Lowenthal, Mike Quigley, Chellie Pingree and Jared Polis released the following statement in response to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers will issue a proposal to repeal the Clean Water Rule.
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 24, 2017
SEEC Members call on Secretary Perry to release ARPA-E funds
Washington D.C. – SEEC Member Rep. Don Beyer was joined by SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Paul Tonko, Gerry Connolly, and Doris Matsui and 55 other Members of Congress in pressing Energy Secretary Rick Perry to immediately release funds to previously-approved projects at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
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