Environment
If we are to sustain our nation’s ecological and environmental health, its natural beauty and resources, we must respond to the threat of climate change. While some chose to deny the overwhelming consensus reached by the scientific community, I recognize that the failure to address this challenge will result in further environmental degradation and incalculable damage to the world we pass on to our children.
The path to environmental sustainability requires a comprehensive, forward-looking approach that utilizes all of our nation’s assets and ingenuity. While we seek alternatives to replace our demand for oil and gas, we need to continue exploring domestic sources in a way that minimizes its environmental impact. We must expand investments in green energy technologies with a focus on both conservation and alternative energies. Furthermore, by responsibly pursuing energy independence, we can promote economic growth, create jobs and preserve our global leadership in industries such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing and transportation.
I am committed to urgently addressing the impending threat of climate change. By being responsible, strategic stewards of our environment and natural resources, I know we can ensure a healthy, clean and dynamic natural world—not just for today, but for generations to come.
Protecting the Great Lakes
Congressman Schneider offered a measure that would protect the Great Lakes from oil and gas drilling of any kind. You can view his speech in support of this measure here.
When draconian cuts threatened the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which helps fund efforts to protect the Lakes from toxic waste, coastal erosion, decreasing water levels and invasive species, Congressman Schneider stood up for critical Great Lakes protections. You can read his statement strongly opposing the proposed cuts here. Congressman Schneider joined his colleagues to send a letter to the Appropriations Committee, asking for full funding for the GLRI. You can read the letter in support of the GLRI here.
The U.S. House passed an amendment offered by Congressman Schneider that protects the Great Lakes from the spread of invasive species like Asian carp. You can read more about the amendment here.
Congressman Schneider cosponsored the Invasive Fish and Wildlife Act to strengthen protections against invasive species and streamline the federal process to designate them as harmful. You can read more about this bill here.
Member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition:
As a proud member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Congressman Schneider and his colleagues advocate for policies that will enhance and promote clean-energy technology, boost domestic renewable-energy production and protect the long-term health and vitality of environment. Congressman Schneider and SEEC also support policies to reverse the effects and address the causes of global warming.
Touring Critical Local Environmental Sites
Waukegan Harbor, which long has been on the EPA’s Areas of Concern list, received $1 million for critical dredging efforts to restore commercial navigation. Congressman Schneider joined Senator Durbin to announce this important funding in April. You can read more about the dredging here.
Congressman Schneider adopted a beach in Highland Park and joined community members to help cleanup efforts. He also joined advocates and community members to discuss how to further protect the Great Lakes at a local Great Lakes Restoration Initiative site.
Fighting to Reduce Pollution
Congressman Schneider applauded the EPA’s new standards for carbon pollution at new power plants. You can read his statement here.
Preserving Natural Wilderness
Congressman Schneider cosponsored the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act and the America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act to preserve the natural beauty and ecosystems of some of America’s greatest wilderness areas, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Utah’s Great Basin. Congressman Schneider also joined his colleagues to send a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell in support of using authority under the Antiquities Act to establish new National Monuments. You can read the letter here.
More on Environment
Many of those who attended a green energy summit Saturday sponsored by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-10th, of Deerfield, left ready to take action.
GRAYSLAKE —U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Deerfield, will host a green energy summit 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Grayslake.
The summit will offer constituents an opportunity to learn practical ways to lower energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability, according to a news release from Schneider's office. It will also provide an overview of the policy trends in energy efficiency, solar and wind energy, including an analysis on how these developments contribute to economic growth and job creation.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has been collecting mud from the Waukegan Harbor for 14 years, but he was able to stop Tuesday.
Kirk, R-Ill., was joined by Gov. Pat Quinn, Waukegan Mayor Wayne Motley, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-10th, along with other local leaders, when the Environmental Protection Agency officially unclassified the harbor as a Great Lakes Area of Concern during a ceremony at the harbor’s Stiner Pavilion.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the completion of all cleanup work required to remove Waukegan Harbor from the binational list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman was joined for the announcement at Waukegan Harbor by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider and Mayor Wayne Motley.
Local, state and federal authorities gathered in Waukegan on Tuesday to celebrate the end of a decades-long effort to clean the city's polluted harbor.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) offered a measure today that would help protect the Great Lakes and Ogallala Aquifer from pipeline spills by preserving important environmental reviews for new infrastructure projects and preventing companies with a track record of pipeline spills that result in environmental contamination from receiving special treatment to build additional pipelines.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule requiring existing power plants to cut their greenhouse gas pollution for a national average cut of 30 percent below the 2005 level by 2030.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement after the White House issued the National Climate Assessment today.
“The report underscores the already-urgent need to address climate change and its effects on our planet, our economy and our communities. Climate change is a real, pressing threat, and we must begin confronting and addressing the causes and implications now.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) organized a roundtable discussion with local environmental and community leaders Thursday to discuss efforts to better protect the Great Lakes from a range of threats, including invasive species, climate change and nearby oil and gas drilling.
Rep. Schneider joined local coastal mayors, environmental advocates and conservation experts to discuss current and future efforts to preserve the Great Lakes.
State and local environmental leaders this week said they must push a regional approach as the best way to tackle issues threatening the Great Lakes.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (D-10th) assembled a meeting in Highland Park on Thursday, April 17, to discuss efforts to protect the Great Lakes from a range of threats, including invasive species, climate change and nearby oil and gas drilling.
A coordinated Great Lakes effort could create a major national force, if coastal states agree to band together, officials said.