Environment

• America’s natural resources are a God-given treasure – and one that we must protect for our children and for future generations.
• Congresswoman McCarthy is working hard to protect our national forests, combat the effects of global warming, and ensure the safety of our drinking water and the cleanliness of the air.
• We have only one Earth – and it is paramount that we do everything to maintain that treasure.

Water Quality

In August of 2008, Congresswoman McCarthy introduced a bill calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a study examining the presence of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in our nation’s drinking water supplies.  PPCPs include prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic drugs, veterinary drugs, fragrances, lotions, soaps, shampoos and cosmetics, as well as products used by agribusiness to enhance growth or health of livestock.  

Water Assessment and Treatment Evaluation Research Study Act

The Congresswoman’s bill, the Water Assessment and Treatment Evaluation Research (WATER) Study Act, which was cosponsored by Reps. Tammy Baldwin (WI-2) and Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), was designed to shed light on how these products are entering out waterways, determine the risk that they pose to human health, and evaluate methods to remove them from the water.  The bill was introduced late in the 110th Congress, which ended before the bill could be considered.

Water Quality Investment Act

Several accomplishments have been made on this issue already in the 111th Congress. On March 12, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act.  The bill makes a number of key investments to improve water quality and better ensure safe, clean water for all Americans.  The bill includes sections based on four bills passed by the House in the 110th Congress but never acted upon by the Senate. It strengthens the Clean Water Act and establishes several grant programs to clean up the nation’s waterways and lakes.  Congresswoman McCarthy was able to include an amendment in the bill requiring the EPA to conduct a study examining the presence of PPCPs in our nation’s waters.  The bill had broad bipartisan support and passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 317-101. 

National Water Research and Development Initiative Act

On April 23, 2009, the House also passed H.R. 1145, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009.  This bill structures federal water research policies and includes programs dealing with drinking water quality.  Congresswoman McCarthy worked with Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) on an amendment that included an examination of the presence and effects of PPCPs in the drinking water supplies.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Over the last 4 years, Congresswoman McCarthy was the Chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, which had jurisdiction over the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). While the Subcommittee has been eliminated this year, Rep. McCarthy continues to strongly support LIHEAP programs. LIHEAP provides funds to states so that they may help low-income households pay home energy expenses. States may use LIHEAP funds to assist families with heating and cooling costs, provide crisis assistance, and pay for weatherization projects. She has continuously been a lead in the fight for increased funding for LIHEAP during annual appropriations.

Investing in Clean, Efficient, American Energy

The American Clean Energy and Security Act

This legislation is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that will create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, enhance America's energy independence, and cut global warming pollution.  The legislation has received wide support from electric utilities; energy companies; manufacturing, industry, and corporate companies; labor unions; and community and environmental organizations. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454 by a vote of 219-212 on June 26, 2009. It has not been introduced yet in the 112^thCongress.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

On February 13th, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to save and create jobs, get our economy moving again, and transform it for long-term growth and stability.

ARRA will help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by doubling our renewable energy production and renovating public buildings to make them more energy efficient. The energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create more than 500,000 jobs, and accelerate deployment of smart grid technology, provide energy efficiency funds for the nation’s schools, offer support for the nation’s governors and mayors to tackle their energy challenges, and establish a new loan guarantee program to keep our transition to renewable energy on track during the economic crisis.

Energy Independence and Security Act

In the 110^thCongress, Congress made strides towards assuring American energy independence by passing the Energy Independence and Security Act.  This legislation includes provisions to combat oil market manipulation, increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 – the first Congressional increase in more than three decades—and promote the use of more affordable American biofuels.