Press Release
June 4, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Veronica Avila, 661-805-8462, [email protected]
Oakland, CA – California Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) and Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) yesterday joined the California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) for a virtual town hall to discuss climate priorities within President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, and what California communities stand to gain from bold federal climate legislation.
“Addressing the climate crisis with bold, concrete action cannot wait,” said Representative Porter. “We have a chance to pass strong federal climate legislation that addresses environmental injustices and strengthens our economy. Representative Levin and I are committed to working with the Biden Administration to prioritize climate solutions in the American Jobs Plan.”
President Biden’s American Jobs Plan offers a critical opportunity to scale state-based solutions to the climate crisis at the federal level. Representatives Porter and Levin have been at the forefront of pushing for transformative climate legislation in California and in Washington, D.C. This includes working to hold polluters accountable, advocating for investments in clean energy and electric vehicle adoption, and supporting conservation of California’s public lands and waters.
“The American Jobs Plan will provide historic investments in our nation’s future, and it’s critical that we prioritize expanding clean energy and creating millions of good-paying union jobs,” said Representative Levin. “California can lead the way in this effort, proven by our long track record of combating climate change and protecting public lands and waters for future generations. We’ll continue pushing the Biden Administration to prioritize climate solutions in the American Jobs Plan so that Californians, and all Americans, will benefit.”
Republicans are pushing for a significantly smaller version of the American Jobs Plan, calling the proposal too expensive. The President recently unveiled a scaled-back version of his plan (from $2.25 trillion to $1.7 trillion). CLCV convened the town hall in order to facilitate community dialogue about the plan and to hear Californians’ pressing questions about how to tackle the climate crisis.
“Californians are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, from drought, wildfires, and extreme heat, to rolling blackouts and toxic air quality,” said Mary Creasman, CLCV’s CEO. “We need to see comprehensive investments in climate solutions in the next two years, so that we can meet the 2030 climate deadline. We thank both Representatives for continuing to champion these critical measures for all Californians and we look forward to our work together to pass this legislation.”
In tandem with the event, a group of 15 California state lawmakers joined the call for federal action and funding to address the climate crisis. In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation Zoe Lofgren, the group outlined the state’s climate investment priorities and called for federal aid to address these needs, such as investments in clean energy, investments in clean transportation and green jobs, and investments in equitable, thriving, climate resilient communities.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
