Energy and Environment

Transportation and Infrastructure Chair DeFazio Leads Oregon Delegation in Urging FEMA to Increase Federal Cost Share for Wildfire Disaster Costs

October 2, 2020

Press Release

We ask you to take into account the size and scale of this disaster as well as the backdrop upon which this disaster fell.

Issues:Energy and Environment

House Passes Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Marine Debris

October 1, 2020

Press Release

We need to fundamentally change our reliance on plastics.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Lead House Democrats Condemn Republicans for Abandoning Their Support of an Asbestos Ban

October 1, 2020

Statements

This bill had strong bipartisan support throughout the Committee process — but now House Republicans are changing their minds and abandoning the deal they used to support.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Hostile Climate for New NOAA Hires

September 25, 2020

In The News

The Hill

Hostile Climate for New NOAA Hires

A group of 85 Democrats led by Reps. Jamie Raskin (Md.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.) and Kathy Castor (Fla.) wrote to the heads of NOAA and the Commerce Department asking for the appointment of climatology professor David Legates to be withdrawn. "As the new deputy assistant secretary of Commerce for environmental observation and prediction—reporting directly to the acting NOAA administrator—Legates would clearly be in a position to seriously damage the agency's scientific integrity," they wrote.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Dems Call for Legates Removal from NOAA

September 25, 2020

In The News

Politico

Dems Call for Legates Removal from NOAA

Eighty-five Democratic lawmakers, led by Reps. Jamie Raskin (Md.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.) and Kathy Castor (Fla.), wrote to the Commerce Department on Thursday to oppose the appointment of David Legates to NOAA, saying he will "discredit the dedicated researchers at NOAA in their essential work." The agency recently hired Legates, an academic who has questioned the seriousness of climate change, for a top political role, riling many in the agency.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Bonamici Bill to Boost Marine Energy Passes House in Clean Energy Package

September 24, 2020

Press Release

As we transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, we have the opportunity to capture the power of the ocean, waves, tides, and currents to help mitigate the climate crisis.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Oregon Delegation Presses Trump Administration to Expedite Burned Area Emergency Response for Oregon Wildfires

September 24, 2020

Press Release

A combination of climate change, historic droughts, a lack of proper forest management, dry forest conditions, and strong winds have brought a series of catastrophic wildfires to Oregon.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Bonamici, Raskin & Castor Lead 85 House Members in Opposing the Appointment of Climate Denier David Legates to NOAA Leadership

September 24, 2020

Press Release

The acidic ocean and devastating wildfires demonstrate that the climate crisis is real in Oregon, as it is across the country and around the planet.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Oregon Delegation Presses FEMA for Wildfire Aid with Removal and Disposal of Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Debris

September 22, 2020

Press Release

These resources would help the state respond to more than 3,800 homes and structures that have already been destroyed by the wildfires. Funding would support an inventory of the damage, the creation of staging areas for response, and plans for disposing any hazardous materials.

Issues:Energy and Environment

Committee Members Request GAO Examination of the Impact of More Frequent and Severe Wildfires on Air Quality and Public Health

September 22, 2020

Press Release

Increasingly frequent and severe wildfires, as well as lengthening wildfire seasons, are erasing decades of air quality improvements in many areas of the country.

Issues:Energy and Environment