Fighting to Protect Our Environment

To learn more about gas prices - click here

Click Here for a PDF version of this page.

Setting America on the Path to Energy Independence: Investing in Renewable Energy

Voted for H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

• This bill raises — for the first time since 1975 — the fuel efficiency standard for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020, a 40% increase over current standards. Additionally, it puts our country on a path toward energy independence by requiring 36 billion gallons of renewable biofuels be blended into gasoline supplies by 2020.

Co-sponsor of H.R. 969, the Udall-Platts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard

• This bill will create a Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring utilities to generate or buy 15 percent clean, renewable energy by 2020. Sources like wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy will be used creating nearly 350,000 jobs.

Sponsoring Conservation Efforts for the 8th District

Voted for the 2007 Farm Bill

• This legislation will increase funding for conservation incentives and assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners by cutting subsidies to big corporate farms. Additionally, this bill brings unprecedented funding for wetlands protection, wildlife habitats and conserving farm, ranch and forest lands from sprawl.

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 1152, the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Act of 2007

• This legislation would reserve 15 percent of existing Farmland Protection Program funds for a challenge grant to encourage greater cooperation and coordination in conservation efforts.

Making Tax Credits for Conservation Easements Permanent

• These incentives preserve open space and help our working farmers remain in agriculture – rather than opting for the often more profitable avenue of selling their land to developers.

Working with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to Bring Grants to the 8th District

• Approved $100,000 in federal funds to support Bucks County Trout Unlimited’s Lindquist Farm and Watson Creek Restoration project. This program furthers the Mill Creek Watershed restoration program and will improve fish passage, forest buffers and stream banks.

Fighting Global Warming

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act

• This bill freezes U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, at the 2009 levels. Beginning in 2011, it cuts emissions by roughly 2% per year, reaching 1990 emissions levels by 2020. After 2020, it cuts emissions by roughly 5% per year. By 2050, emissions will be 80% lower than in 1990. These goals are comparable to emissions reduction goals adopted by many states and called for by leading American companies, small businesses, religious organizations, environmental advocates, and others.

Keeping Our Waters Clean and Safe

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act

• This bill will clarify that the intention of the original Clean Water Act was to protect our waters from pollution. Its passage will overturn several damaging court cases which have restricted our ability to keep our water safe and preserve clean water for upcoming generations.

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 2169, the Clean Water Protection Act

• Mountaintop removal, a mining method where the top of a mountain is removed to extract thin seams of coal, permanently destroys streams, forests and mountains by dumping waste material into valleys and streams. This process jeopardizes the future of Appalachia’s natural environment and the health of the people who live there. The Clean Water Protection Act would amend the Water Pollution Control Act to prevent waste dumping.

Creating a Clean Energy Infrastructure

Voted for H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act

• This measure will make biofuels, like E85 ethanol, easier to access and use by developing new technologies that would allow retailers to offer biofuels using existing infrastructure.

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 197, to Extend the Renewable Energy Tax Credit

• Provides a tax credit for electricity produced from renewable energy facilities such as wind, closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gas and trash combustion.

Co-Sponsor of H.R. 593, to Extend the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

• This legislation will extend the deduction through 2013 and increase the maximum incentive from $1.80 per square foot to $2.25 per square foot.

Co-sponsor of H.R. 2481, to Increase the Number of Hybrid Vehicles on the Road

• This bill would increase the number of hybrid vehicles eligible for federal tax breaks.

Supporting the Clean Cities Initiative

• Signed onto an effort requesting a $20 million dollar commitment to this important program. This funding would allow the development of alternative fuel vehicles for use in our transportation infrastructure.

Preserving Our Pristine Wildernesses

An Original Co-sponsor of H.R. 39, the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act

• Drilling would irreparably disrupt this important ecosystem that is home to caribou, polar bears, musk oxen, wolves and over 160 species of birds. This bill will protect one of the last untouched wilderness areas in our world.
• Co-Sponsoring this bill will protect the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by designating this unique, pristine habitat as wilderness.

Co-sponsor of H.R. 2516, the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act

• If passed, this bill would codify President Clinton’s Roadless Rule - prohibiting new road construction or reconstruction in the unroaded portions of almost 60 million acres of National Forest System lands.

A member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

• Working across party lines to address the issues affecting our national wildlife refuges.

Increasing Investment in Our Environment and Developing Alternative Energy

Voted for Needed Funding for the Department of Interior and the Environment (H.R. 2764)

• Authorizes $7.6 billion dollars for the EPA..
• $689 million for Clean Water State Revolving Funds helping roughly 150 communities with drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Voted for Increased Funding for the Department of Energy (H.R. 2641)

• This bill authorizes $1.9 billion, $638 million above the President’s request and $400 million above 2007 funding levels for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs such as solar energy, biofuels, vehicle technology, energy efficient buildings, weatherization technology, hydropower and geothermal energy research.

Click Here for a PDF version of this page.