Skip to main content

Bonamici and Select Committee Announce Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

June 30, 2020

Legislative roadmap crafted with input from Oregonians to grow economy, protect public health

WASHINGTON, DC [06/30/2020] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), the only member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis from the Pacific Northwest, joined her colleagues in releasing their Climate Action Plan.

The comprehensive report, "Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America," outlines a science-based path to address the climate crisis and reach net-zero emissions no later than mid-century and net-negative thereafter. It includes a focus on the needs of frontline communities, opportunities to accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, and ways to create good-paying jobs.

"In Northwest Oregon, the climate crisis is already our reality and we must act immediately," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Our Climate Action Plan is centered on the principles of justice and equity because everyone needs and deserves access to clean air, clean water, and a planet free from toxic pollution.

"Addressing the climate crisis will create millions of good-paying, high-quality jobs that can help working families and displaced workers recover from the economic collapse caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal and Indigenous communities have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have also been disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Building a resilient, clean energy economy using this climate action framework will boost our economic recovery and allow us to begin to repair the legacy of environmental racism and pollution that has burdened low-income communities and communities of color for decades."

Bonamici and other members of the Select Committee based the Climate Action Plan on science following more than a year of hearings, meetings, and briefings. It reflects an outpouring of input from thousands of community members and leaders from Oregon and around the country.

The Climate Action Plan includes many of the Congresswoman's legislative efforts, including her bipartisan COAST Research Act, bipartisan Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act, Regional Clean Energy Innovation Act, and bipartisan BUILDS Act. More details about the Congresswoman's leadership on the report can be found here.

The Select Committee's climate action framework outlines ambitious and achievable policies to:

  • Grow our economy and put Americans back to work in clean energy jobs
  • Protect the health of Americans by reducing emissions and toxic pollutants
  • Make our communities more resilient so they can withstand the effects of climate change
  • Protect America's lands, waters, ocean, and wildlife for the next generation

According to an independent analysis and modeling, implementing the plan would:

· Reduce net overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent below 2010 levels in 2030, and 88 percent below 2010 levels in 2050;

· Provide nearly $8 trillion in cumulative climate and health benefits through 2050; and

· Avoid 62,000 premature deaths annually by 2050.

Bonamici highlighted the importance of the Climate Action Plan on the House floor and spoke about the contributions of Oregonians to the report. Video of her remarks can be viewed here. She also spoke at a press conference with Members of the Select Committee and Speaker Pelosi.

Bonamici is hosting an Oregon Kick-Off for Climate Action next Wednesday. You can follow along on social media using #OregonClimateAction.

###