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“Protecting
our environment and our historic landmarks is one of the greatest legacies that we can leave the next generation.”
-- Congressman John B. Larson
Global Warming
A growing number of scientists believe that human activities, particularly the
burning of fossil fuels, are leading to increased global temperatures.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the most recent
state-of-the-art computer models of the Earth's climate have projected a global
average warming of almost 3 to 10.7 ˚F over the next 100 years, if greenhouse
gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere at the current rate. A warmer
climate could have far-reaching effects on agriculture and forestry, managed
and unmanaged ecosystems, including natural habitats, human health, water
resources and sea levels.
I have long advocated for
investing in the development of alternative sources of energy, such as hydrogen fuel cells.
Hydrogen fuel could help improve fuel supply stability, while lowering or
eliminating emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that lead to global
warming. I have also cosponsored the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 1590 )
that would create aggressive requirements to reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases. The bill would cap U.S.
emissions in 2010, and then gradually reduces them by 2 percent per year until
2020; create a flexible, market-based, emissions trading program; establish new
requirements for cleaner cars; and require more electricity from renewable
energy.
I have also been named to
the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming which will hold
hearings and investigations locally, nationally, and internationally to gather
information needed to protect our national security and the environment.
Clean Air
While the United States
has made significant progress in cleaning up the air we breathe since the
landmark Clean Air Act was passed 30 years ago, we must do more. Pollution in
our air impacts the integrity of our atmosphere, our water supply, and the
health of our children. It is vital that we set and maintain strong standards
for the quality of our air, for this and future generations.
I am a cosponsor of the Clean
Smokestacks Act of 2005 (H.R. 1451 ),
which would set stronger limits for the emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxide, carbon dioxide and mercury by all power plants, regardless of age.
Currently, older power plants are exempted from most clear air standards. If
passed, this bill would help states like Connecticut
reduce the hazardous impact of power plant emissions.
Additional information
from the Library of Congress:
Clean Water
When the Clean Water Act
was signed into law in 1972, the United States took an important
step towards eliminating pollution from all of our nation's lakes, rivers, and
coastal waters. Studies have shown that the Clean Water Act keeps more than 900
million pounds of sewage and a billion pounds of toxic chemicals out of our
waterways every year. Despite this success, a majority of Americans still live
within 10 miles of polluted water that is unsafe for drinking, fishing or
swimming. I will continue to fight in Congress for tough standards that prevent
the illegal and dangerous pollution of our waterways.
I am a cosponsor of the Clean
Water Authority Restoration Act of 2005 (H.R. 1356 ),
which would give Congress the authority to regulate activity affecting all
waters within the United
States. Current law gives Congress the
ability to regulate only the navigable waters of the country. If passed, this
legislation would ensure that clean water standards can be used to protect
every pond, lake and stream in the United States.
Additional information
from the Library of Congress:
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