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Energy & Environment
The Environment
Central and South Coast residents take great pride in our region’s tremendous natural beauty – from the Los Padres National Forest to the Channel Islands National Park and from the Guadalupe Dunes to the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Unfortunately, these unique areas are currently threatened by habitat loss, air and water pollution, and climate change.
I’m continuously working in Congress to preserve, restore and protect these special places and the many other natural treasures we cherish so that future generations are able to enjoy and benefit from them. I’ll continue to push for critical air and water quality monitoring programs which will ensure that our air and beaches are safe and clean.
My Priorities:
- Supporting legislation to protect our nation’s air, water, wetlands, forests, and other wilderness areas as a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), and former member of the Natural Resources Committee
- Upholding robust environmental laws to conserve our natural resources and to prevent future environmental degradation
- Preserving and protecting public lands and coastal areas from harmful development
- Increasing environmental education and research opportunities
- Ensuring that our oceans, coastal communities, and working waterfronts receive adequate federal support
- Working with local leaders to promote innovative, locally based approaches that protect our environment and enhance our economy
My Accomplishments:
- Led successful Congressional opposition to eliminate a provision granting special protections for MTBE manufacturers that were polluting drinking water across the country, including in Cambria and Oxnard
- Authored the Coastal Estuarine and Land Conservation Program Act, a law which has already protected some of our most sensitive coastal ecosystems on the Gaviota Coast and around Morro Bay
- Authored legislation to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Luis Obispo County as an Outstanding Natural Area
- Authored the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act, a law to help the federal government monitor and forecast coastal conditions, and make observations accessible and understandable to the public
- Authored the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act, which seeks to formally authorize and support innovative environment-based education programs; I have secured over $2 million for specific programs on the Central Coast
- Authored the National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act to establish a regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture development that takes a balanced approach to environmental, social, and economic concerns
- Introduced the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act to establish a grant program to support projects that increase the resiliency and adaptability of water systems to climate change
- Introduced the Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act to research the links between U.S. ocean and coastal resources and human health; to improve the safety of American seafood, reduce beach closures, and detect emerging threats to human health in a proactive manner
- Established the National Marine Sanctuaries Caucus to improve Congressional awareness and support of places like the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries
- Provided guidance to the Administration on the development and implementation of the President’s National Ocean Policy using practical and successful examples from the Central and South Coasts