Energy and Environment

We have a responsibility to ensure that this country is preparing for a safe, reliable and secure energy future. Overreliance on a limited range of fuel technologies, foreign sources of energy, and finite resources is unreasonable. We cannot drill our way out of our energy problems; we only have two percent of the world’s proven oil reserves but we use about 20 percent of the world’s oil.

Our strength will lay in our innovation and our ability to transition to new, cleaner, more sustainable resources. Finally, we must recognize the impact that our energy choices have on public health and the global environment, now and far into the future.

We also must work hard to protect our environment and be good stewards of our land, air, and water, particularly as we address the multi-year drought in California. I help protect our environment close to home as an advisory member of the Tri-Valley Conservancy.

As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, I am working to encourage innovation in the field of renewable energy. Globally, addressing climate change is imperative for our security, the ecosystems that feed us, our public health and safety, and our future economic well-being.

What I am Doing for You

I introduced H.R. 2687, the Securing Energy Critical Elements and American Jobs Act, to promote collaboration and research in the fields of energy critical elements and to ensure a reliable supply of rare earth elements. These elements are critical for numerous advanced technologies from hybrid vehicles and solar panels to military electronics. (I also introduced this as H.R. 1022 in the 113th Congress.)

I led multiple letters sent to the House Energy, Water, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of strong funding for the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

I led multiple letters (and signed others) in support of funding for the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 

I cosponsored H.R. 4239, a bill to provide emergency drought relief to California and other affected states as well as a help to address this crisis over the long-term in a fair and environmentally responsible way.

I cosponsored H.R. 1140, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act, which would authorize $25 million over five years for wetlands restoration and conservation in the Bay Area. (I also cosponsored this as H.R. 843 in the 113th Congress.)

I cosponsored H.R. 1482, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, which would amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption from restrictions on underground injection of fluids or propping agents granted to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities. (I also cosponsored this as H.R. 1921 in the 113th Congress.)

I voted against H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, in the 113th Congress and against H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, in the 114th Congress, both of which would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline.

I cosponsored H.R. 924, the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act, which would allow a 30 percent tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility.

Rep. Swalwell hosts Future Forum special order hour on House Floor focusing on climate change, December 2015.