Energy and Environment
As a PhD scientist, I utilize my expertise to make thoughtful policy decisions on issues related to the energy and environment. We know that climate change is real and largely man-made. While some politicians claim it’s a hoax, most experts believe we will begin to see very significant economic, political, and social consequences from climate change if we do not act now. I support sound economic policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment for the next generation.
Thanks to decades of federally funded research, we have made great progress towards energy independence. The growth and development of our modern economy during the last century raised our standard of living, but has also led to new challenges and environmental threats. It is our responsibility to develop a comprehensive response to address our dependence on fossil fuels, promote sustainable energy use, and invest in new energy technologies. Research at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois leads the way in the kind of innovation we need to make energy more efficient. These projects will help make batteries (including the ones we use in hybrid cars) more cost effective and more powerful.
My Work on Energy and Environment
Washington, DC - Today, the House passed H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, legislation that would boost green infrastructure and energy efficiency in buildings and invest in renewable technologies, energy sources, and workforce training. The final package included the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act introduced by Rep.
Foster, Wyden Lead Bicameral Warning Against Trump Administration Resuming Explosive Nuclear Testing
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bill Foster, D-Ill., and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore today led a bicameral group of 80 other colleagues in urging Donald Trump not to resume explosive nuclear testing after a 28-year hiatus. This letter comes in response to reports indicating the administration is considering taking this step.
Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s State of the Union address:
“As expected, President Trump continues to try and take credit for the Obama economic recovery. The fact is that both job growth and economic growth are slower under President Trump than under President Obama. Under Obama, the stock market tripled, and unemployment was cut in half – President Trump hasn’t come close to matching that record.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two spending packages covering all 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after Sterigenics announced it would permanently close its facility in Willowbrook, IL:
BERKELEY, CA – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) will lead a congressional delegation on a tour of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and SLAC Accelerator Laboratory in California. Foster will be joined by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA).
It was a full house at the Climate Change Forum, hosted by Representatives Bill Foster, Sean Casten, and Dick Durbin at North Central College.
The discussion focused on the effect climate change has on the weather like melting glaciers, rising sea levels and the increased power of hurricanes.
“This is real stuff. 50 percent of all of the carbon dioxide that we have ever emitted into the atmosphere as a species, in the entire time that are species has been on the earth has been emitted since 1980,” said Congressman Casten.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act of 2019. The legislation is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), and Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) led a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inquiring about the actions the FDA has taken, or plans to take, to examine and evaluate alternatives to ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization methods in the United States. The letter was signed by all 13 Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today released the following statement regarding Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigenics, Inc.: