Energy and Environment
Information regarding my stance on Energy and Environment issues.
Environmentalists and state and local governments have already taken the EPA to court over the final rule in two separate lawsuits, broadly on procedural grounds. Biden is set to issue a memo today mandating evidence-based decision-making in federal agencies, but because the Trump policy shift came out as a final rule, the Biden administration would have to undertake another rulemaking to strike it from the books. The letter was led by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), and includes Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.).
"The final rule essentially blocks access to the best available science, which could jeopardize the health and livelihood of every person in this country and disproportionately burden Black, Indigenous, and communities of color who are often still waiting for the EPA to fulfill its promise of clean air and clean water," the lawmakers wrote. The letter was signed by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). Tonko chairs the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. Beyer co-chairs the Safe Climate Caucus.
"The Trump Administration's censored science rule undermines scientific integrity and threatens our nation's bedrock environmental laws. It cannot stand. Today, I led 86 of my colleagues in urging President Biden to use all means to rollback this harmful rule immediately."
The full letter can be read here and below.
The House version of the legislation followed a similar collaborative path and was introduced by Democrat Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon and Republican Rep. Don Young of Alaska.