Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Climate change is both real and a threat to our nation and our children. Global average temperatures are increasing, oceans are rising, and extreme weather events are becoming more common. Climate change threatens our health, our national security, and our economy. In the past year, deadly hurricanes likely strengthened by warming oceans ravaged Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas. Pollution remains a significant problem, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. If we do not act swiftly and decisively, our children will be paying the consequences for generations to come.

Renewable sources of energy are becoming cheaper than fossil fuels. Wind, solar, and hydroelectric power are easy, safe, and inexpensive. The cost of preventing pollution is far lower than the cost of continuing to allow corporations to pollute our air and water. In Congress, Mary Gay will make protecting the environment and investing in renewable energy a priority. She will introduce policies including, but not limited to:

Rejoin Paris Climate Accord

President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord was disastrous for dealing with climate change and for our reputation abroad. To effectively deal with climate change, the United States must be a leader in the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Protect our Air and Water

Access to clean air and water is a fundamental human right. The EPA was originally established during a conservative Republican administration due to bipartisan recognition of the necessity of protecting our air and water by enforcing strict pollution standards. Sec. Scott Pruitt and the Trump administration want to roll back these regulations, allowing corporations to dump hazardous chemicals into our air and drinking water. Every year, 200,000 people die early deaths from air pollution - a loss that should be treated as a national emergency. In Chester, PA, the Covanta trash incinerator is one of the largest air polluters in the region, jeopardizing residents' health. Throughout most of the 5th district, the proposed Mariner East 2 pipeline threatens our communities' water. In Congress, Mary Gay will support legislation to strengthen pollution regulations and strengthen the ability of the EPA to enforce those regulations.

100% Renewable Energy by 2050, Energy Independence

We must support the inevitable transition to renewable energy before it is too late. Dependence on foreign fossil fuels is dangerous to our national security, and we currently have the resources to entirely power the country with renewable energy. We must invest in wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy, and these technologies are no longer expensive. In Congress, Mary Gay will support the 100x50 bill, which paves the way to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Eliminate Oil Subsidies and Reinvest in Clean Energy

We must eliminate oil subsidies and get fossil fuel money out of politics. Every year, $4 billion in taxpayer money is spent to subsidize fossil fuel companies, while these companies generate $90 billion in profits yearly. Mary Gay will support legislation that ends fossil fuel subsidies and reinvests taxpayer money in clean energy.

Provide Immediate Relief to Puerto Rico and Flint, Michigan

Six months after Hurricane Maria, a third of Puerto Rico still has no electricity. Unemployment and violent crime have increased, and the death toll is now above 1000. In Flint, over 50,000 children were exposed to dangerously high levels of lead in their drinking water, but four years later, Flint still does not have clean water. It is difficult to escape the conclusion that in both Flint and Puerto Rico, Americans are at risk and dying because of the color of their skin. Mary Gay supports legislation that provides immediate aid to Flint and Puerto Rico.

Job Retraining

The decline of the fossil fuel industry has inevitably led to the loss of jobs for American workers. Former mining towns have been hit especially hard. We must provide job retraining to displaced fossil fuel workers and others displaced by our changing economy. For more information on job programs, see our Jobs and the Economy issue page.

Ban Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) poses a serious threat to our air and water. Hazardous chemicals are injected into groundwater, and methane is released into the air. Studies have shown that numerous fracking towns in rural America have significantly worse air quality than Los Angeles, and residents suffer increased respiratory problems, endocrine disorders, and neurological problems. If fracking cannot be done without endangering our health, it should not be done at all.

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