Energy and Environment
Information regarding my stance on Energy and Environment issues.
Second, healthy coastal habitats are efficient carbon sinks and provide myriad additional benefits to coastal regions, including protection from storm surges, erosion control and providing critical habitat for commercially and recreationally important species. A bipartisan coalition of legislators led by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Don Young (R- Ark.) have called for a $10 billion investment in coastal restoration projects that would begin to capitalize on this potential.
OCEAN EYED: Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Bill Posey (R-Fla.) are calling on the Biden administration to include at least $10 billion in the next coronavirus recovery package for coastal restoration and resilience projects, citing the potential for healthy coastal ecosystems to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The lawmakers suggest projects like blue carbon sequestration; natural infrastructure; and the restoration of habitat to help threatened or endangered species. They also call on the administration to establish an Advanced Research Project Agency–Ocean.
Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Bill Posey (R-Fla.) called on President Biden to commit $10 billion to coastal restoration and resilience efforts Wednesday. In a letter addressed to Biden, the representatives note that under the Obama administration, $167 million in stimulus funding was appropriated for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Habitat Conservation for coastal restoration.
U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumeneaur and Suzanne Bonamici, and state legislators Sen. Ginny Burdick and Rep. Lisa Reynolds have sent similar to petitions to Mayorkas, whose office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Still, Oregon Democratic co-sponsors Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici remain committed. During a confirmation hearing last month for EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Merkley emphasized asbestos and the TSCA evaluation (Greenwire, Feb. 4). Martina McLennan, a spokesperson for Merkley, said the senator "remains extremely concerned" about the lack of a U.S. asbestos ban, as well as by the 30% increase in imports last year.