The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutClimate ChangeDEREK KILMER 6TH DISTRICT", WASHINGTON COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS DEFENSE SUBCOMMITTEE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES SUBCOMMITTEE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin 321 East 5th Street Port Angeles, WA 98362-3206 if. (Congrems, Of tut Ontiteb *tatrt In. wouge of ji"Repreorntatibe!5 Wnbington, MC 20515-4706 March 13, 2019 OFFICES: 1410 LoNGWORTH OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 225-5916 950 PACIFIC AVENUE SUITE 1230 TACOMA, WA 98402 (253) 272-3515 345 6TH STREET SUITE 500 BREMERTON, WA 98337 (360) 373-9725 www.kilmer.house.gov [IL" . . .. . . ..... MAR til), PPf Dear Lindsey, Thank you for contacting me regarding the need for Congress to take action to address climate change. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this issue. I share your concerns and agree that bold action must be taken to combat this global threat. I believe Governor Jay Inslee put it well when he said: "We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it." I'm excited about the energy and vision behind the Green New Deal. America should be aspirational and have a sense of urgency about addressing this pressing challenge. This is an issue that involves not only protecting our environment but also protecting our economic interests, our communities, and our national security. There's no denying it: climate change is real, and Congress has a moral obligation to act. In our region, we have four coastal tribes that are literally having to move to higher ground as a result of rising sea levels and flooding caused by storms. As the global climate warms and areas become drier, uncontrollable wildfires are raging across our beautiful home state. Our shellfish industry and our fisheries are seeing changing ocean chemistry impact the health of our marine life and the industries that depend on it. And the Department of Defense identifies climate change as a "threat multiplier" that makes our world less safe. Unfortunately, too many politicians are catering to special interests and ignoring the scientific consensus on this issue. The clear scientific consensus is that climate change is real and has the potential to create significant problems for our state, for our nation, and for people around the world. We need to act now if we're going to make progress in addressing this global threat. I am deeply disappointed that the Trump Administration is moving us in the wrong direction. President Trump has referred to climate change as a "hoax," withdrew our nation from the Paris Climate Agreement, repealed the Oba.ma Administration's revolutionary Clean Power Plan standards, sought to open our coasts to new offshore drilling, and is putting our public lands up for sale to the highest bidder. This has happened despite the findings of a report from the President's own administration which — along with a recent report from the United Nations — are a call to action to fight climate change. Sadly, President Trump has sought to ignore or refute the science. There isn't a moment to lose. Congress cannot wait for the President. For the six years I have served in Congress, I've consistently fought for federal actions to address climate change. Unfortunately, under Republican Leadership, Congress continually came up short. Despite these setbacks, I know we can act before PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER it's too late. Democrats have already made it clear that climate change will be at the forefront of our agenda in the 116th Congress. I am proud that Democratic leadership in the House and each of the committee chairs with jurisdiction over this issue have all made it clear that Democrats are prepared to take bold actions to address this existential threat. Furthermore, I am encouraged by the creation of the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis that will amplify the efforts of these standing Committees to ensure that the House is mounting a coordinated response to this challenge. I share the support expressed by the L,eaof Conservation Voters and the Natral uResources Cc Defense ounil for the Select Committee, gu�q ----- -- - ------ Beyond resolutions that don't have the force of law, our country needs to get specific about taking tangible steps to make progress against this existential threat. There's a real opportunity here to make a difference! First, we must reaffirm our commitment to the Paris (J irriate.Agreppient, the world's most ambitious climate this . ........ . . ..... - change agreement to date. The tJ-S,,_p Jqp outlined under this agreement by the Obama Administration in 2015 L would have put us on track to achieve 'economy -wide carbon emissions reductions of 80 percent or more by 2050. That's exactly the kind of action we need to take at this pivotal moment. It's why I cosponsored 14, Qon, Res._15 - Expressing the commitment of the Congress to the Paris Agreement. And it's why I am encouraged to see community groups, municipalities and businesses in our region sign on to the "We Are Still In" contract to show their commitment to adhering to these principles. There should be no doubt that the U.S. is prepared to be an international leader on meeting the global emissions targets outlined in this agreement. Consistent with this, we need to take specific, tangible, necessary steps to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. I've supported proposals to modernize our electrical grid, to invest in new renewable energy technologies, to require reduced emissions from our power plants and our automobiles, and to price in the negative externalities of using a carbon -based product in order to reduce the use of that product. I have a sense of urgency about such steps, because we've got to see some specific action before it's too late. Second, we must develop strategies to assist communities that are already feeling the impacts of climate change. This is absolutely critical for folks in our neck of the woods who are at risk of being washed off the planet. That's why I've sponsored legislation like the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act Qj_.R._1L 9), the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act, and the Preventing Pollution Through Partnership Act that would provide dedicated resources to communities that are actively working to address these impacts. Third, Congress should get focused on creating more green -collar jobs that combat climate change and poverty at the same time. To do this, Congress should develop a national strategy to transition to renewable energy sources (that includes a plan to assist workers impacted by that transition) and increase investments to modernize our nation's transportation system and energy infrastructure. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have been - and will continue to be - a vocal advocate for increasing these investments. Doing so will have a positive environmental impact, create jobs, and also lower the transportation and electricity bills of the American people. Other nations have realized that investments on this front can benefit our economy - enabling new industries, new jobs, and new opportunities. It's time for America to recognize this too! So these are some of the things I see as the most pressing issues that Congress must tackle in order to make real and lasting progress in our fight against climate change. Please know that I intend to continue to play an active role in pushing for these actions to combat climate change and that I am committed to using the tools available to me as a Member of Congress to protect our planet. I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind as the proposals focused on addressing climate change are further considered in Congress. I am committed to doing all I can to make sure we move forward — and don't move backward — in tackling this global challenge. We'll keep at it! I encourage you to continue to share your views with me on this topic or any other issue. Thank you for reaching out. It is an honor to serve as your representative. Sincerely, Derek Kilmer Member of Congress