In The News
Sep 18, 2014
| The Hill
How much do disasters cost?
Issues: Climate Change
The cost is more than just the emergency relief packages Congress approves after major disasters. Yet shockingly the Federal government provides no single estimate for how much we spend on disaster-related assistance each year. That is why we are introducing the DISclosing Aid Spent To Ensure Relief (DISASTER) Act.
Jun 2, 2014
| E&E News
EPA tees up 30% emissions cut as Obama promotes health benefits
Issues: Climate Change
Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), the chairman of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition’s climate task force, said he was encouraged to hear that EPA would not seek to pre-empt California’s climate laws. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), a co-chairman of the coalition, said the meeting with Podesta stayed on general topics. But he said part of the discussion focused on the positive economic impacts the rule could have.
May 22, 2014
| E&E News
Hill briefing on warming highlights military, health impacts
Science and national security experts visited Capitol Hill last night to brief an audience of congressional staffers on the toll climate change is already taking on public well-being, at home and around the world. It was sponsored by the Senate Climate Action Task Force and the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.
Mar 27, 2014
| E&E News
Top Obama advisers brief House Dems on emissions agenda
President Obama's top two climate advisers yesterday met with Democrats in the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition to discuss his carbon emissions agenda, focusing on a new White House data initiative. John Podesta and Dan Utech, Obama's climate advisers, met with 19 of the coalition's 56 members to share details about the White House-centered elements of the president's government-wide Climate Action Plan, according to a source briefed on the meeting. The sit-down "primarily" looked at the Climate Data Initiative, a project unveiled last week to...
Mar 5, 2014
| POLITICO Pro
Wanted: A new Waxman for Dems’ green caucus
Rep. Henry Waxman’s decision to retire at the end of the year has left greens wondering who will step in as House Democrats’ moral compass on environmental issues. But it might not be just one lawmaker who emerges as the chamber’s loudest voice on climate change and other hot-button topics. The House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition has built a caucus of 56 Democrats who are vowing to carry on Waxman’s legacy. “We’re not just leaving it to a handful of individuals,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the co-chair of the coalition, told POLITICO in a recent interview.
Feb 18, 2014
| Mesabi Daily News
Nolan joins ‘Green’ Coalition
Eighth District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan has joined a “Green” group of lawmakers — the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. The coalition has 56 House members, all Democrats. The coalition has strong views about global warming/climate change that are fully agreed to by the congressman.
Feb 18, 2014
| POLITICO Pro
McCarthy meets with House ‘green dogs’
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy met today with the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and discussed issues like fracking and climate change, Co-Chairman Gerald Connolly said afterward. The group, which Connolly calls the “green dogs” caucus, also talked about regional issues like Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and the California drought. He said about two-thirds of the caucus’s 55 members attended. On fracking, members suggested that given the congressional “antipathy towards any regulation, however rational,” EPA should highlight states’ best practices, Connolly said. He said...
Feb 4, 2014
| E&E News
Waxman's successor as top House climate hawk may need new perch
Outside of the formal committees, a Waxman successor could be found among the members of another bloc, such as the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition... The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition's members include Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.).
Jan 30, 2014
| E&E News
Controversial phrase makes prominent return in Obama speech -- and few are happy
"I think when he uses that phrase, it's presenting us with a menu," said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is co-chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. "There's nothing wrong with that approach -- and it leaves room for us to debate what we pick and choose on that menu."
Dec 17, 2013
| SNL
Democrats push budget committees to extend wind PTC, other clean energy subsidies
Issues: Energy
Dozens of congressional Democrats urged the leaders of the Senate and House budget committees on Dec. 16 to extend or make permanent tax credits promoting wind energy, other renewables and energy efficiency.