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SEEC Leaders Applaud Climate Priorities in House Infrastructure Proposal

January 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Doris Matsui and Paul Tonko and Vice-Chairs Reps A. Donald McEachin, Chellie Pingree, Matt Cartwright, Mike Quigley and Alan Lowenthal made the following statement in response to the Moving Forward infrastructure investment framework released by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair DeFazio, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Pallone, and Ways and Means Committee Chair Neal. The framework outlines major investments across a range of infrastructure categories, including highways, rail and transit systems, airports, ports and harbors, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, brownfields, and broadband.

"We applaud this first step towards a far-reaching, sustainable infrastructure plan and are pleased to see many SEEC priorities outlined in this framework. This proposal makes important commitments to decarbonizing the transportation sector, making our infrastructure more resilient to climate change, greening our electric grid, protecting our drinking water, and promoting environmental justice, among other key priorities. We thank the Committee Chairs for this framework and look forward to continuing our work with them in this important effort."

At the start of the 116th Congress SEEC sent a letter to House Leadership and Chairs DeFazio and Pallone urging them to advance a far-reaching, sustainable infrastructure proposal that addresses climate change this Congress. SEEC Members followed up by advocating for a bold plan during the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's member day hearing in May 2019. Earlier this month, SEEC leadership sent a detailed policy proposal to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that highlights the need to reform our highway and transportation policies in order to urgently address climate change and environmental justice. SEEC set the foundation for this infrastructure campaign in the 115th Congress with the release of their Sustainable Infrastructure Proposal meant to serve as a blueprint for smart, environmentally sustainable infrastructure investment.

The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) is a coalition of nearly 70 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to be a focused, active, and effective coalition for advancing policies that address climate change, promote clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create good green jobs, protect our nation's clean air, water and natural environment, and promote environmental justice.

SEEC is Co-Chaired by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA).

SEEC Vice-Chairs are Reps. A Donald McEachin (D-VA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), and Mike Quigley (D-IL).