Washington, D.C. -- Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a letter today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Gina McCarthy, and all EPA employees to express her gratitude for their hard work and dedication to protecting the environment and safeguarding the health of the American people. The full text of the letter is below:

 

December 8, 2016

 

The Honorable Gina McCarthy

Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20460

 

Dear Gina,

 

I am writing to you and all the other dedicated employees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the hard work you put in every day to protect the environment and safeguard the health of the American people.  Public service is a noble calling, and I thank you for all that you have done. 

 

EPA’s mission makes life better for our children and families, the elderly, and communities throughout the United States.  And it is important to remember that there has been strong bipartisan support for our landmark environmental laws.  Some of those laws include the Clean Air Act signed by President Nixon in 1970, the Safe Drinking Water Act signed by President Ford in 1974, the Brownfields law signed by President George W. Bush in 2002, and many more.

 

One of the reasons that these laws have been so successful is because they were based on the science.  You must continue your important work that is rooted in science and never be afraid to do so.

 

And remember this -- the public stands with you!  In poll after poll, American voters are clear that they favor EPA’s efforts to address climate change, clean up the air, and protect the waterways that provide drinking water to 117 million Americans. 

 

According to a New York Times poll, two-thirds of Americans support the United States being part of an international treaty to limit the impacts of climate change.  And a League of Conservation Voters poll found that 60% of American voters support the Clean Power Plan, and 70% of voters want their state to cooperate and develop a plan to implement these new standards. 

 

It has been a privilege to work with you over the years.  I am so proud of what EPA has accomplished – protecting the environment, our families, and communities across the nation.

 

I want you to remember that although I am retiring from the Senate, I plan to keep fighting these fights -- I will just be doing it from California.  And I know you will remain dedicated to EPA’s critical mission.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Barbara Boxer

Ranking Member

 

 

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