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Tonko Praises EPA Announcement Limiting Power Plant Pollution

| Posted in Press Releases
Rep. Paul Tonko

 WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) today released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement for new rules limiting carbon pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants under its authority from Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. This announcement follows a March 2023 letter led by Tonko and others urging EPA Administrator Michael…

Tonko, Fitzpatrick, Markey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Resilience & Mental Wellness for Communities

| Posted in Press Releases
event speech

WASHINGTON, DC—During Mental Health Awareness Month, Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) announced the introduction of their Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that will tackle the nation’s mental health crisis head-on by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by natural…

Tonko Condemns Partisan Hearing that Ignores Realities of Climate Change

| Posted in Press Releases
rep. tonko press 2

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials, denounced today’s partisan subcommittee hearing that bemoans the swift action taken by the Biden Administration and Democrats to push forward a clean energy transition and ignores the dire realities for climate change.   Listen to Rep. Tonko’s…

Tonko Votes Against Default on America Act

| Posted in Press Releases
rep. tonko press 2

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko today voted against H.R. 2811, the Default on America Act, legislation that holds the nation’s economy hostage in an attempt roll back transformational climate action, cut Medicare, and more. “To say this Republican debt limit bill puts America between a rock and a hard place is an understatement,” Congressman Tonko said. “The Default on America…

Tonko, Huffman, King Introduce Bill Driving Floating Solar Development

| Posted in Press Releases
PDT Cohoes Floating Solar

WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Senator Angus King (I-ME) today introduced in the House and Senate the POWER our Reservoirs Act (Protect our Waters and Expand Renewables on our Reservoirs Act), legislation that would advance clean energy production and drought protection at America’s federal water reservoirs. “We must use every…

Tonko Floor Statement Opposing HR 1

| Posted in Speeches and Floor Statements
PDT Cohoes Floating Solar

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) delivered a statement on the House floor today strongly opposing the GOP bill, H.R. 1. His full floor statement can be viewed HERE or read below as prepared for delivery. M. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1, the Polluters Over People Act. When House Democrats had an opportunity to bring an H.R. 1 to the floor, it was to protect…

Tonko Re-selected to Lead Environment Committee

| Posted in Press Releases
Rep. Paul Tonko

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) has again been selected to serve on key House subcommittees focused on energy and environmental issues. Anchored by his role as Ranking Member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials, Tonko will also serve on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security,…

Tonko Introduces Sweeping Offshore Wind Legislation

| Posted in Press Releases
Rep. Paul Tonko

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Offshore Energy Modernization Act, legislation that provides a comprehensive blueprint to ensure the long-term viability and success of U.S. offshore wind development. In 2021, President Biden announced the nation’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. Tonko’s legislation implements critical measures and…

Tonko, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Empower Communities with Resilience & Mental Wellness

| Posted in Press Releases
Rep. Paul Tonko

WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that will tackle the nation’s mental health crisis head-on by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by natural disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft…

The long-lasting potential of the Inflation Reduction Act

| Posted in Opinion Pieces
Rep. Paul Tonko

Before the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was considered our nation’s greatest legislative achievement to deploy clean energy. In the past decade, policymakers have learned much from the ARRA experience, and those lessons were incorporated into IRA, putting this new legislative accomplishment on a path to transform our…

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