Bicameral Task Force Calls on Inspectors General to Ensure Federal Action on Climate Change

Feb 25, 2013

Today, the co-chairs of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, Rep. Henry A. Waxman and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, joined by new co-chairs Rep. Ed Markey and Sen. Ben Cardin, wrote to nearly 70 Inspectors General throughout the federal government requesting input on what each agency, government corporation, or independent establishment can do to confront the growing threat of climate change. The letters ask for information on how each department or agency is currently responding to existing policies and directives that address climate change, as well as the authorities each office has, and potential steps they could take, to reduce emissions and strengthen the nation's resiliency to the impacts of climate change.

In the letter, the members write: “In his State of the Union address, the President recognized that additional action by federal agencies is needed to combat climate change... This call to action presents an opportunity and obligation for agencies to develop strategies to meet the challenge of preventing and responding to climate change.”

An example of the letters is available online here. The full list of recipients is available online here.

Earlier this month, Rep. Waxman and Sen. Whitehouse wrote to more than 300 businesses and organizations to solicit their views on actions the federal government can take to address climate change. Additional information about those letters is available online here.

Rep. Waxman and Sen. Whitehouse founded the Task Force in January. Rep. Markey and Sen. Cardin have accepted leadership positions on the Task Force and will serve as co-chairs.