The current climate crisis will continue to worsen unless we take serious and swift action. Science has proven that the largest contributors to global warming are carbon emissions and super pollutants, which are gases much more potent than CO2 and therefore, add more warming per ton. We can harness new and existing technology to capture emissions and super pollutants in order to curb the critical changes we are seeing in our atmosphere.

• Introduced the bipartisan Super Pollutants Act of 2019 to address short-lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
• Introduced the bipartisan USE IT Act to promote new carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, including bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration (BECCS).
• Introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, which looks to prevent carbon emissions by imposing a tax on certain fuels that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Strengthening Community Preparedness and Resilience

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and strength due to climate change, making recovery times longer and costs higher for communities and residents throughout the country. In San Diego, we must be prepared to withstand wildfires, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other environmental issues that impact public health, safety, and quality of life. I am fighting to make sure our city receives the support it needs in prevention and response efforts to address and overcome the environmental threats San Diego faces.

• Leader in the fight to stop Tijuana River sewage spills at the California-Mexico border which pose significant health hazards and cause regular beach closures that impact the local tourism economy by helping to secure $15 million in federal grants for the Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program.
• Introduced Tijuana River Valley Pollution Solution bill package with Rep. Juan Vargas. The package is a comprehensive approach to stop the cross-border flows of wastewater, trash, and sediment from entering U.S. waters. Rep. Peters led the provision that prioritizes funding for projects that specifically address water pollution, wastewater treatment, and water conservation to reduce the risk of sewage flows.
• Introduced the STRONG Act which would ensure communities across the country are prepared to withstand and recover from natural disasters and extreme weather events.
• Introduced the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act which will help communities better protect their drinking water systems from drought, industrial pollution, and potential attacks. The bill passed the House as part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act in September 2018.
• Helped introduce the Wildfire Prevention Act to give states awarded a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) access to resources that can help them mitigate the effects of a fire and to help prevent future fires.
• Supported the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which would put an end to the government borrowing funds dedicated to wildfire prevention to pay for increasingly costly suppression efforts.
• Introduced the Disclosing Aid Spent to Ensure Relief (DISASTER) Act, which passed the House on July 24th, 2019. The bill will increase transparency and accountability of federal expenses on disaster relief.

Promoting Energy Efficiency and Innovation

San Diego’s evolving innovation economy is leading the development and deployment of clean-energy solutions that will help address climate change. Solar, biofuels, electric vehicles, and smart city technology promotes environment-friendly practices that will also jumpstart job creation and economic growth. We must encourage innovation in these cutting-edge research institutions and businesses to bring more of these ideas to market.

• Introduced the Renewable Electricity Tax Credit Equalization Act, which extends tax credits for investments in qualified energy production and aims to incentivize development of renewable energy technology.
• Helped introduce the bipartisan Market Choice Act of 2019, which would replace the federal gasoline tax with a broader tax on carbon emissions and finance infrastructure among other priorities.
• Invested in new waste-to-energy (WTE) research, particularly in research activities converting biogas to fuels and high-value co-products.
• Increased direct federal spending on RDD&D of cellulosic biofuels technologies.

Recognizing Energy Security as National Security

In San Diego, our military leaders know preparing for the threat of climate change boosts combat readiness and saves lives. We can support U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to reduce energy use that will allow them to complete missions safely and efficiently. Their work to diversify their fuel supply and deploy innovative energy sources can be a model to improve military efficiency across the country.

• Introduced the HYPE Act which would cut red tape in the construction permitting process for hydropower projects and incentivize greater investment in carbon-free hydropower.
• Co-led the effort to create new regulatory pathways and funding for nuclear waste that includes both long-term disposal and interim storage programs.
• Promoted recognizing nuclear power as a clean and reliable energy source, including small modular reactors, advanced nuclear development, and nuclear fusion, and advocated for international nuclear partnerships and research efforts.
• Introduced the Carbon Utilization Act which would expand USDA research and loan guarantees to include carbon capture technologies that turn the carbon dioxide or methane products produced by organic waste into electricity, heat, or fuel. New energy sources created by this legislation, like biogas, could bring us closer to energy independence and reduce greenhouse gases.
• Introduced the Algae Agriculture Act which would support the development of algae innovation to be used as food, an energy source, and as an industrial source.
• Supported a $47 million increase in funding for the ARPA-E program in the 2018 fiscal year spending bill to fund projects to increase grid security and efficiency, and support growing the program to $1 billion by fiscal year 2024.