Issue Position: Environment
Issue Position
As we grapple with the immediate and long term impacts of global climate change the United States has the moral obligation to act now. Cutting carbon emissions while cleaning the air we breathe and the water we drink aren't just priorities, they are absolute necessities. Punishing polluters as I have done in the past while working in good faith with local farmers and business owners is key to preserving the health of our environment. We can reward environmental stewardship and punish those who break the law without burdening our families.
*Address climate change now, support EPA's proposed new carbon emissions standards. Maryland is already feeling the ill effects of climate change. Rising water levels and warming water temperatures are negatively impacting biodiversity. Natural treasures are struggling to survive. [1] In light of this crisis, The Obama administration has taken a bold step forward in tightening carbon emissions standards. We need to stand by this monumental step forward and ensure Congress does not delay or reduce the rule's scope. Instead of putting the health of our families at risk, proposed regulations on air quality will clean our air, reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and keep us healthy.
*Cut down on ground-level ozone, put in place nitrous oxides (NOx) emission controls on Maryland's coal-fired power plants. Nitrous oxides are air pollutants that react to sunlight and warm temperatures to produce irritating ozone, a pollutant directly related to code red air quality. According to the EPA, NOx emitted today remains in the atmosphere for an average of 100 years.[2] Many coal-fired plants in Maryland still do not have NOx controls, and state authorities are beginning to backtrack from previously established tough emissions limits.[3] At least three border the 4th District, poisoning our atmosphere. Despite the lack of controls, Maryland has steadily improved its air quality, with no "Code Red Air Quality" days in the past two summers[4]. Federal pressure is needed to ensure Maryland continues to hold coal power plants accountable. Putting in place NOx controls will improve public health and continue Maryland's healthy air momentum.
*Expand tax incentives for conservation and water infrastructure improvement efforts.The Chesapeake Bay and Potomac rivers are major economic engines for the 4th district. Aside from tourism, seafood and increased property value, investments in conserving our waterways and cleaning our water yields positive returns. For instance, the commercial seafood industry alone can generate $3.39 billion in sales, $890 million in income, and nearly 34,000 jobs to the local economy per year.[5] Mitigating agricultural nutrient runoff is a must to preserve jobs in Maryland. Subsidies for conservation efforts and best practices will help preserve our bay without costing families their jobs.
*Invest in renewable energy by utilizing existing waste products . For all the excitement over the current natural gas boom, we must remember that natural gas is not a renewable energy source. The Chesapeake Bay region, with its high agricultural density, has the potential to use discarded farm materials like manure and chicken litter for energy production.[6] Renewable energy plants that use animal waste will not only limit the amount of pollutants that reach the bay, it will provide a new source of revenue and affordable phosphorus-free fertilizer for our struggling family farms. Congress must pass legislation to enable states and private industry to come together and fund innovative environmental solutions.
*Address the growing e-waste stream. Electronics waste (e-waste), like old laptops, flatscreen televisions, printers and smartphones, is the largest growing waste stream in the U.S. The U.S. is the world's number one producer of e-waste, with much of it going unrecycled.[7] E-waste often contains hazardous materials that pose a serious environmental risk if not properly disposed of. The first step in addressing the problem is funding public service campaigns to ensure Americans know that e-waste must be recycled. Second, the federal government needs to proactively support the e-waste recycling industry and provide incentives for innovation in more efficient disposal technologies.
*Expand federal grant programs for local governmental facilities that invest in energy efficiency. By improving the energy efficiency of new and old facilities, local governments can save money while reducing their carbon footprint. Although there are some overlapping programs aimed at supporting local efficiency, we need a sustained national effort. The federal government should aggressively support these efforts by increasing direct grant funding for efficiency upgrades to local government buildings. According to the EPA, public schools spend more on energy than everything except personnel.[8] Investments in energy will save District 4 schools money to spend on more important things like quality teaching and programs.
*Encourage local government to engage with the community on stormwater and sewage problems. As the 4th district and Washington Metro Area continue to grow, the stormwater and sewage disposal system is less able to handle the increased flow.[9] Recently, Oxon Hill residents were taken by surprise when a 68-year old pipe burst over 15,000 gallons of sewage into the area.[10] As municipal authorities work to update the aging infrastructure, people deserve to be kept "in the loop" on risky infrastructure. Federal grants and aid to local government should be conditioned on active community involvement and communication with constituents.
*Give EPA the authority to do its job. The federal government has a key role in ensuring that polluters are kept in line. Congress should aid the EPA in its task rather than second guess decisions and propose limits on agency power. The EPA should be given real mechanisms to punish polluters and implement greenhouse gas emission limits.
*Get the facts on fracking by requiring energy companies to disclose fracking fluid additives or lose favorable tax treatment. We won't be able to know the true environmental cost of natural gas development if the EPA cannot assess what exactly is being pumped into the ground. Energy companies claim that the list of additives used in fracking fluid is a trade secret. A potential public health crisis cannot be hidden away as a proprietary secret. Meanwhile, natural gas developers receive favorable treatment under the U.S. code through loopholes and subsidies. For example, natural gas is exempt from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.[11]We need legislation that compels genuine disclosure before another federal dollar supports natural gas development.
*Preserve and expand our parks and greenspaces by Funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).Our national, regional and local parks are an invaluable public asset. We must ensure that the Department of Interior has the authority and funding to acquire, develop and maintain land and help local government do the same. The LWCF, funded by oil and natural gas royalties, is an integral part of this formula. The fund works by providing matching federal grants for state and local parks and recreation projects. For instance, LWCF funds helped Bowie and Laurel build pools and parks. Over the past 50 years, Maryland has received over $200 million in parks funding.[12] We need to support the LWCF and see that it is properly funded by Congress.
*Renew and enhance commercial and residential tax incentives for renewable energy.The costs of failing to address climate change are grave. In Maryland, we can expect more extreme weather to overburden our aging infrastructure, deplete our farms and fisheries and endanger the lives of our most vulnerable citizens during heat waves and other days where we experience poor air quality. Tax credits for use and installation of renewable energy are a powerful tool available to Congress to fight climate change. For instance, the solar investment tax credit has proved successful. The solar credit should be renewed and improved, with funding beginning at the time of construction rather than when a system comes online.[13] We must make a concerted effort to support all renewables in order to reach the Obama administration's target 28% of U.S. capacity coming from renewable energy by 2030.[14] Investments in the green energy economy will not only produce a wealth of jobs, it will save our planet.
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