Congressman Lamar Smith

Representing the 21st District of Texas
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Environment

Wind turbine and blue sky

Like many Americans, I am concerned about the environment. The Earth has undergone tremendous change in the past and is experiencing similar change now. Climate change has the potential to impact agriculture, ecosystems, sea levels, weather patterns, and human health.

It is our responsibility to take steps to improve the quality of our land, water and air for ourselves and for future generations. We can do this by developing and expanding clean energy technologies, relying less on foreign oil, and utilizing a common sense approach to conservation.

As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, I am committed to ensuring that we rely on good science to guide our strategies in dealing with the environment.

I introduced renewable energy legislation that was included in H.R. 6, the “Energy Independence and Security Act.” This legislation, which became law on December 19, 2007, creates incentives for Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles, creates a grant program for solar demonstrations and public-private partnerships, expands the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), increases corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, and requires increased energy efficiency standards for consumer appliances.

I am a cosponsor of H.R. 445, the “Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act.”  This legislation establishes a competitive grant program to advance research and development for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.  This legislation passed the House on September 9, 2009, and now awaits action in the Senate. 

I have championed solar technology development in Texas. The U.S. Department of Energy has selected the City of Austin (2007) and the City of San Antonio (2008) as two of the first 25 cities to be awarded a Solar America Cities grant.

These technologies can help provide a cleaner environment for our children while at the same time reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

For more information on the environment and climate change, please visit the following websites:
 
http://www.house.gov/science/committeeinfo/members/environment/index.htm
 
http://energy.senate.gov/public/

http://www.epa.gov/
 
http://www.interior.gov/

http://naturalresources.house.gov/

More on Environment

Dec 14, 2016

WASHINGTON – House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement today after President-elect Donald J. Trump announced former Texas Governor Rick Perry will lead the Department of Energy.

Jun 9, 2016

Washington, DC – On Thursday, Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) joined his Texas colleagues in Congress by sending a letter to President Obama requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Travis and 11 other Texas counties in light of the recent severe weather and flooding.

Jul 10, 2015

Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing to receive testimony from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy on the agency’s overreaching regulatory agenda.

Click here or on the photo above for video of the full exchange.

Jul 8, 2015

By voice vote, the House of Representatives adopted a second amendment offered by Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) to H.R. 2822, the Department of Interior appropriations bill. The amendment would prohibit the EPA from basing regulations on research data that is not publicly available. A previously adopted Smith amendment cut EPA budgets, citing the agency’s obstruction to congressional requests.

Jun 29, 2015

Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that EPA must consider cost before deciding whether the Mercury Air Toxics regulation is appropriate and necessary to regulate under the Clean Air Act.

Jun 24, 2015

Washington, D.C. – House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today praised H.R.

Jun 22, 2015

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency rolled out its controversial Waters of the U.S. rule along with a new PR campaign attempting to rebrand the rule’s tarnished image. 

The EPA introduced the rule under a new name, the “Clean Water Rule.” But cosmetic updates cannot hide the fact that it’s still a massive power grab of private property. 

May 27, 2015

Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its controversial Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, under a new name, the “Clean Water Rule.”  The EPA has long claimed the rule is intended to define which bodies of water can be regulated by the Clean Water Act. But the rule is written so broadly it could allow the EPA to regulate virtually every body of water in the United States, including private and public lakes, ponds and streams.

Apr 9, 2015

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) this week hosted a public meeting with special guest Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. More than 200 people showed up for the event, “Reining in the EPA: A Regulation Roundtable,” which was held at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville, Texas on the evening of Wednesday, April 8th. 

Mar 25, 2015

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced he is subpoenaing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Smith has led recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability at the EPA, fight costly new EPA ozone regs, and put a check on the agency’s plans for sweeping new water rules.