[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H2676-H2677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ALL AMERICANS DESERVE ACCESS TO CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, AND A PLANET 
                       FREE FROM TOXIC POLLUTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, the coronavirus pandemic, racial violence, 
and the climate crisis have all highlighted systemic and pervasive 
inequalities in our country, especially for Black communities and other 
people of color. Racial, economic, and climate justice are 
intrinsically linked.
  As a member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I am 
pleased to stand with my colleagues this morning to release our climate 
action plan. It is centered on the principles of justice and equity 
because all people deserve access to clean air, clean water, and a 
planet free from toxic pollution.
  After more than a year of hearings, round table discussions, and 
feedback from people and groups across the country, we have a bold, 
science-based, comprehensive plan to address the climate crisis. It 
sets our Nation on a path to reach net-zero emissions no later than 
mid-century and net-negative thereafter. Our plan focuses on the needs 
of frontline communities, accelerating our transition to a 100 percent 
clean-energy economy, and opportunities to create good-paying jobs. 
Climate solutions are economic solutions.
  The climate crisis is an existential threat, and we cannot wait to 
act. In the Pacific Northwest, climate change is already our reality. 
Raging wildfires each summer result in hazy skies, smoky conditions, 
and hazardous air quality comparable to some of the most polluted 
places on the planet. Decreased snowpack in the winter is upending the 
outdoor recreation industry. Our ocean is absorbing carbon dioxide and 
becoming more acidic, devastating commercial fisheries. Warmer water 
temperatures in the Columbia River are further endangering salmon, 
which are a fundamental part of the identity and culture of northwest 
Tribes. Droughts and extreme weather jeopardize the livelihoods of our 
specialty crop farmers who were already struggling to make ends meet. 
Despite these conditions, there are reasons to remain hopeful.
  As I travel across northwest Oregon, I have visited with constituents 
who are already hard at work to protect our planet. At 46 North Farms 
near the majestic Oregon coast, Teresa Retzlaff and her CSA members are 
using dry farming practices to provide sustainable food and beautiful 
flowers for their community. In Hillsboro, Oregon, First Tech Community 
Credit Union constructed its headquarters out of cross-laminated 
timber, which creates an airy and healthy workplace and is an example 
of how we can reduce emissions with our choice of building materials 
while helping to revitalize rural communities.
  In Astoria, more than 100 people filled a community room on a Friday 
afternoon to hear from scientists about how the climate crisis is 
affecting the health of our ocean. TriMet and Portland General Electric 
launched the region's first battery electric bus powered by 100 percent 
renewable wind energy.
  In Portland, workers at Vigor constructed a massive wave energy buoy 
that was deployed off the coast of Hawaii to capture the power of our 
ocean in generating clean energy.
  And to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I joined environment 
and labor leaders to discuss a green road to recovery that creates 
good-paying jobs. These examples, and so many more, informed our work 
on the select committee.

[[Page H2677]]

  Our climate action plan is a comprehensive road map for Congress to 
build a healthy, resilient, and just America. By enacting our 
recommendations, we would achieve net-zero carbon pollution by no later 
than mid-century, save more than 60,000 lives each year from reduced 
air pollution, and generate health and climate benefits that would help 
save close to $8 trillion.
  I am also pleased to see many of our recommendations, included in 
H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.
  As a leader on the Education and Labor Committee and the 
granddaughter of a coal miner, I know the way we transition to a clean 
energy economy and support workers is as important as the transition 
itself.

                              {time}  0915

  At a time when more than 47 million workers are unemployed, our 
recovery package must focus on creating and restoring good-paying jobs. 
We have the opportunity to incorporate investment in climate resilience 
and clean energy in the process.
  As co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus and the Congressional Estuary 
Caucus, I am pleased that our climate action plan recognizes the power 
of the ocean to be part of the solution.
  The climate action plan calls for the conservation of at least 30 
percent of our ocean by 2030 to help preserve and protect blue carbon 
ecosystems that can help serve as a natural climate solution by 
absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  Our plan provides solutions to protect the planet and make it more 
resilient for future generations. It will result in communities and an 
economy that is stronger, healthier, and fairer.
  Now, we must turn this roadmap into action.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Castor and the select committee staff for 
their tireless work.

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