WASHINGTON–Paul Tonko, Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment & Climate Change, joined with colleagues in both chambers of Congress to introduce legislation that would extend and strengthen the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low-income households insulate their homes from extreme heat and cold and make other… Read more »
WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko has just been elected by his colleagues on the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee to serve as Chair of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Climate Change. This subcommittee has exclusive jurisdiction over the Clean Air Act and will be at the forefront of tackling climate change and carbon pollution. Tonko has been developing a… Read more »
ALBANY, NY – Congressman Paul D. Tonko resorted to science and facts in his reaction to the Trump Administration today after its release of a proposed rule weakening clean energy standards allowing for more carbon pollution that could lead to as many as 1,400 more premature deaths in the U.S. every year.
“This proposal not only ignores the clear and growing threat of climate change, it… Read more »
WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko, the top Democrat on the Energy & Commerce Environment Subcommittee, issued a strong rebuke of the announcement this morning that the Trump Administration will roll back previously agreed-upon vehicle emissions standards for Model Year 2021-2026 light-duty vehicles. The new proposal would freeze standards at the 2020 levels through 2026 and seek… Read more »
"Since 2002, the Brownfields program has helped put tens of thousands of acres of economically critical land back into circulation, supporting local economies and encouraging greater development in areas that were previously written off. In the process, more than 130,000 jobs have been created and $24 billion has been leveraged from federal investment. Local governments are realizing that through this program we can turn a liability into an opportunity." Read more »
"State Green Banks are becoming increasingly popular as state and local economies work to meet the growing demand for clean energy and energy efficiency financing,” said Tonko. “Our New York Green Bank is a leader in this field and has already delivered more than $350 million to more than two dozen projects in our state. Those projects are expected to generate more than $1 billion combined, helping us advance a more globally competitive, clean energy economy." Read more »
“The Trump Administration’s unilateral decision to hold these advanced energy research awards is not just harmful to the local businesses and organizations doing this cutting-edge research in New York and across the nation, it also threatens the separation of powers and exclusive authority of Congress to appropriate funding that is clearly spelled out in our U.S. Constitution. The President and this Administration need to explain why they are withholding these ARPA-E awards and expedite the release of all Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 funding without further delay.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
“We have serious concerns about this action that has prematurely removed qualified experts from EPA’s Board and deprives EPA of critical scientific and technical expertise needed to support the Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment,” wrote the six Democratic Committee leaders. Read more »
"Investing in innovation and greater efficiency in our energy production is one of the easiest and most important things we can do for our economy, our environment and our national security. Even a small increase in the efficiency of our nation’s power generators can save billions of dollars, dramatically reduce carbon pollution and secure our own energy independence." - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
"The President’s Executive Order on this issue is more than bad policy, it is a critical failure to respond to a real and proven threat to the lives and livelihood of millions of American families. This bill would stop it in its tracks.” - Rep. Paul Tonko Read more »
