Environment

"In the 21st century, America faces at least three challenges that will shape the destiny of our great nation: the rising influence of oil states that don’t share our interests or values; the growing ecological crisis caused by climate change; and the continuing decline of the manufacturing sector that created our middle class," Congressman Garamendi explained. "Public investments in rail manufactured in America tackle all three challenges head on. Investments in public transportation and infrastructure are a win for our economy, a win for our environment, and a win for our national security."

“Offshore oil drilling is inherently unsafe, and it’s in our economic and national security interests to transition away from it,” Congressman Garamendi said. “Until that day, we need the best safety precautions possible, and we must make sure that when spills occur, residents and small businesses are adequately compensated. The CLEAR Act accomplishes these important goals.”

"Today's announcement adds muscle to our country's transition from a dangerous oil addiction to a vibrant clean energy economy," Congressman Garamendi said. "The Department of Energy made a wise investment by selecting California's world class scientific research institutions to develop the fuels of the future."

"Deepwater platform drilling is inherently dangerous, but until we finally transition away from drilling, it's essential that we require the best safety and response standards available," Congressman Garamendi said. "These two bills are a good first step. The next steps include raising the ludicrous $75 million oil industry liability cap for spill cleanup, ending oil subsidies, further investing in clean technology, and stopping all new platform oil drilling."

"I want to walk into Target and see "Made in America" throughout the store. We can make it in America," Congressman Garamendi said. "Middle-class wages in America have stagnated for three decades, and our country’s future success depends on bringing back good manufacturing jobs." "We produce steel in Pittsburg, solar panels in Livermore, and buses in Hayward," Garamendi added. "We must make sure the U.S. tax code and other federal polices encourage job creation in America. This work can be done by hardworking Americans in Northern California and throughout the country. Let's make it here."

"Most hydrologists agree that the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta together with New Orleans are the two most vulnerable flood prone regions in the nation," Garamendi added. "Today’s House vote improving access to flood insurance is a good start. Tomorrow we must get serious about strengthening our levees system before it’s too late."

"Do we need any more of a lesson than what we now see in the Gulf of Mexico? Yet in the halls of this Congress, there are many representatives that have not learned," Congressman Garamendi said. "The Republican Party is still saying 'drill, baby, drill' when we know it’s really 'spill, baby, spill.' Today 400,000 Americans are sending the powerful message that there are better alternatives."

"We need to know what happened, why it happened, and who is responsible for the tragedy along the Gulf Coast," Congressman Garamendi said. "The bipartisan Commission must have all the tools it requires to ensure that BP and the other responsible parties are required to disclose all pertinent information to get to the facts of what went wrong."