Larsen Hails Environmental And Clean Energy Wins In Spending Bill

Press Release

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted in favor of a bipartisan spending bill that makes major investments in the environment and clean energy, as well as other investments in jobs and opportunity for which he has long advocated. The FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides funding for all federal agencies through September 2016, in line with the bipartisan budget agreement that Congress passed in October.

"In today's world of political extremes, it is sometimes hard to see the work of legislative compromise actually happen. More often than not, Congress produces legislation that is an all or nothing affair. But legislating as our country's founders envisioned requires compromise, when both parties of a negotiation get some of the things they want and lose some of the things they want. That is how citizens expect Congress to operate -- to find solutions that, on balance, advance the priorities of the American people.

"And that is how the Democratic leadership operated with the spending bill that I voted for and Congress passed today, by negotiating hard and successfully to secure landmark victories for our environment and for our growing clean energy economy.

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund is back in action with a nearly 50 percent funding boost. This hugely successful conservation fund has helped preserve open spaces throughout the Pacific Northwest for 50 years. Communities can once again rely on the fund to protect public lands and waters like Ebey's Reserve, Chuckanut Bay and the Wild Sky Wilderness.

"The iconic Northwest salmon serves as an important cultural symbol and environmental linchpin. That is why I pushed to invest in the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which has successfully supported improvements to hundreds of thousands of acres of salmon habitat. I am pleased that the fund will continue to restore critical salmon habitat in the coming year.

"Northwest Washington is already a leader when it comes to renewable energy, and provisions in this bill will propel us forward with major investments in solar and wind technology. Following the historic climate change agreement in Paris, our country must take action to lead the way on renewable energy. We made a big down payment today for a clean energy economy and jobs.

"I understand some people are unhappy about lifting the ban on crude oil exports. I would rather see the ban stay in place too. But the many victories for our environment and clean energy in this bill illustrate the hard work of legislative compromise," Larsen said.

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