Sustainability Advocates in Congress Release Infrastructure Plan

Press Release

Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) released its Sustainable Infrastructure Proposal, led by Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and David Price (D-NC). The document serves as a blueprint for smart, environmentally sustainable infrastructure investment. The proposal stands in stark contrast to the recently released Trump Administration infrastructure plan that eviscerates core environmental safeguards, fails to meaningfully incorporate forward-looking sustainability and resiliency initiatives, and falls far short of the robust direct federal investment necessary to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. The vast majority of Americans know that we can build and modernize infrastructure while keeping environment and public health protections in place. They expect us to do both, and that is what SEEC's proposal is all about.

"Our nation is in desperate need of comprehensive investment in infrastructure to modernize our roads, bridges, railways, transit systems, housing stock, and broadband networks" said Rep. Price. "But ignoring common sense recommendations to improve resiliency and sustainability in our infrastructure systems only serves to expose these assets to future failure and ignores the threat that climate change poses to America's communities. The SEEC Infrastructure Principles offer concrete policy proposals that bolster our infrastructure against future threats, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, preserve core environmental safeguards, and encourage federal investment in projects that will lead to good-paying jobs now and in the future."

"Sustainability should be integrated into all of our infrastructure projects," said Rep. Lowenthal. "Unfortunately the Trump Administration's infrastructure proposal is heavy on environmental rollbacks that limit public input and weaken protections for our families and environment. This SEEC infrastructure proposal instead charts a fresh vision of smart, sustainable investments that will promote the well-being of all Americans, including healthier, safer communities and environments. When done right, infrastructure investment can promote commerce, sustain good jobs, and protect our environment. The Administration presents a false choice."

The SEEC document begins with a statement of principles, laying out a broad outline for what "sustainable infrastructure" entails, and then presents a series of brief policy documents that contain specific proposals for multiple categories of physical infrastructure. The document should serve as a model for sustainable principles to be included in any infrastructure package that is considered by Congress.

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