Emerging Contaminants, Forever Chemicals, and More: Challenges to Water Quality, Public Health, and Communities
This hearing will examine various perspectives on emerging contaminants, so-called forever chemicals, and their impacts on public health and water quality. Specifically, the subcommittee will look at the growing concern in surface waters, their effects or potential effects on human and aquatic ecosystems, and the Clean Water Act’s framework for addressing contaminants in surface waters.
Witnesses:- Dr. Elizabeth Southerland, Former Director of Science and Technology U.S. EPA Office of Water
- Chris Kennedy, Town Manager, Town of Pittsboro, North Carolina
- Dr. Elise Granek, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Management Department, Portland State University
- Charles Moore, Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research
- Katie Huffling, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment
- Dr. James Pletl, Director, Water Quality, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Virginia Beach, VA
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emergency response to Hurricane Ida
On Wednesday, October 6, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold an oversight hearing to examine the response by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Hurricane Ida.
Witnesses:- Major General William H. “Butch” Graham, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Brigadier General Thomas J. Tickner, Commanding General, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Colonel Stephen F. Murphy, Commander, New Orleans District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Updates To The Mining Law Of 1872
The purpose of this hearing is to examine and consider updates to the Mining Law of 1872.
Witnesses:- Chris Wood, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited
- Katie Sweeney, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, National Mining Association
- Autumn Hanna, Vice President, Taxpayers for Common Sense
- Rich Haddock, General Counsel, Barrick Gold Corporation
- David Brown, President and CEO, Wyo-Ben, Inc.
Buried In NDAA, Fossil-Fueled Provision Directs State Department To Promote Fossil-Fuel Industry
Buried within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (H.R. 4350) passed last week, the Democratic House of Representatives approved language creating a new position in the State Department dedicated to promoting oil and fracked gas interests.
The language is taken from the Energy Diplomacy Act (H.R. 1311), introduced by Rep. August Pfluger II (R-Texas) and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), both oil-patch members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The bill establishes an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, responsible for “protecting and advancing United States energy security interests” and “coordinating energy activities” in the State Department. The position will “support the development of energy resources and the distribution of such resources,” “resolve international disputes regarding the exploration, development, production, or distribution of energy resources,” and “support and coordinate international efforts to alleviate energy poverty.” “Energy poverty” is a fossil-fuel industry term used to promote the development of coal, oil, and gas in the developing world.
It was introduced as part of an amendment to the NDAA on State Department operations (numbered 723 in the Rules Committee list and 286 on the House floor) by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the Foreign Affairs chair and ranking member. It passed the House as one of 111 amendments included in en-bloc amendment 124, agreed to 362 to 59 (roll-call vote 289).
Pfluger is a first-term congressman financed by the oil and gas industry, whose stated “primary concern in Congress is to protect our oil and gas industry from the radical Democrats.” Gonzalez is one of a dwindling number of oil-patch Democrats financed by the oil and gas industry who opposes climate action.
Despite its House passage, the bill will face a pro-forma markup in the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.
While the bill avoids mention of fossil-fueled climate change, it does not preclude the new role from being dedicated to supporting renewable energy development instead of fossil-fuel interests, although the language about foreign energy markets and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative would make little sense in that case.
National EJ Community Engagement Call
The purpose of these calls is to inform communities about EPA’s environmental justice work and enhance opportunities to maintain an open dialogue with environmental justice advocates. As environmental justice continues to be integrated into EPA programs and policies, the Agency hopes that these calls will help reaffirm EPA’s continued commitment to work with community groups and the public to strengthen local environmental and human health outcomes.
Registration: Due to limited space, participation in this call will be on a first come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is highly suggested, but not required. If registration has reached capacity, please see the links below for instructions on how to access the call if seating is available on the day of the meeting. If you are unable to join the call, a summary will be posted to the U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice’s website after.
Interpretation: If you need English-language interpretation assistance, or special accommodations for a disability or other assistance, you can submit a request when registering for the meeting. Please submit your request by September 23, to give EPA sufficient time to process.
For more information about the National Environmental Justice Community Engagement Calls, please visit the website or email: Victoria Robinson ([email protected]) or Christina Motilall ([email protected]).
JOIN THE ZoomGov Webinar
IMPORTANT: Due to limited seating, PLEASE enter the call using either your mobile device OR your computer, not both. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1606599212?pwd=L3lTTFpmRVVLNGVsbVFxUFlhWEUvZz09 Passcode: 11066564
The Circular Economy as a Concept for Creating a More Sustainable Future
On Wednesday, September 22, at 9:30 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a business meeting to consider several of President Biden’s nominees, legislation to rename federal buildings, and several General Services Administration resolutions.
Immediately following the business meeting, the committee will hold a hearing on the importance of promoting a circular economy.
Witnesses:- Elizabeth Biser, Secretary, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
- Roberta Elias, Director, Policy & Government Affairs, World Wildlife Fund
- Brian Hawkinson, Executive Director, Recovered Fiber, American Forest & Paper Association
- William “Billy” Johnson, Chief Lobbyist, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Nominations of Jeffrey Prieto to be EPA General Counsel, and Three Members of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
On Wednesday, September 22, at 9:30 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a business meeting to consider several of President Biden’s nominees, legislation to rename federal buildings, and several General Services Administration resolutions.
Immediately following the business meeting, the committee will hold a hearing on the importance of promoting a circular economy.
- Jeffrey Prieto to be General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency. He was a member of the Biden Agriculture transition team. He was a long-time Department of Justice environmental lawyer who helped set up its environmental justice division. His nomination hearing was on June 16.
- Stephen A. Owens to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
- Jennifer B. Sass to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
- Sylvia E. Johnson to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
2021 Climate Jobs Summit
AGENDA SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
9:30 AM Welcome, Purpose, and Review of the Day- Gary LaBarbara, President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and New York State Building and Construction Trades Council & Climate Jobs NY
- Michael Fishman, President and Executive Director, Climate Jobs National Resource Center
- Maulian Dana, Tribal Ambassador, Penobscot Nation
- Eric Dean, General President International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW)
- Lily Gardner, Sunrise Movement member
- Aliya Haq, Vice President, U.S. Policy and Advocacy, Breakthrough Energy
- Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association (NEA)
- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
CJNRC Video
10:15 AM Ali Zaidi, Deputy White House National Climate Advisor
10:30 AM American Jobs Plan: Impact & Opportunities for Clean Energy and Good Jobs
- Moderator: Lara Skinner, Director, Labor Leading on Climate Initiative, Worker Institute at Cornell University ILR School
- Marilyn Brown, Director, Georgia Tech, Climate and Energy Policy Laboratory
- John Cartwright, President, Toronto/York Labour Council (Retired)
- John Doherty, Special Assistant to the General President, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
- John Podesta, Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors, Center for American Progress (CAP)
- Chris Shelton, President, Communication Workers of America (CWA)
12:00 PM Break
12:15 PM Equity and Good Jobs in a Clean Economy: State Strategies for Winning Labor Standards and Equity in Opportunity
- Moderator: Vincent Alvarez, President, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO & Climate Jobs NY
- Priscilla De La Cruz, Senior Director, Government Affairs at Audubon Society of Rhode Island, President of the Environment Council of Rhode Island, Co-host Climate Jobs Illinois
- Aziz Dehkan, Executive Director and Lead Organizer, Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs
- Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer, Illinois AFL-CIO & Climate Jobs Illinois
- Cynthia Phinney, President, Maine State Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
- Melissa Shetler, Executive Director, Pathways to Apprenticeship
1:45 PM Two Concurrent Panel Discussions:
Building Carbon Free and Healthy Schools
- Moderator: Nikki Budzinski, Advisor, Climate Jobs National Resource Center
- Joseph Bryant, President, Service Employees International Union, Local 1021 (SEIU)
- Seanelle Leesang, Science Teacher, IS 68 Brooklyn, United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
- JP Patafio, Bus Operator/VP Transportation Workers Union Local 100 (TWU) & Climate Jobs NY
- Anil Singh, 2021 NYC public schools graduate, Sunrise Movement member
- Justin Thompson, Senior Policy Analyst, National Education Association (NEA)
- Gina Walsh, Deputy Director of Heat and Frost Insulators Cooperative Trust & Climate Jobs Illinois Executive Board
Building a Robust, Equitable Offshore Wind Industry in the U.S.
- Moderator: Lee Smith, Managing Member, American Solar Partners (ASP)
- Hae-Lin Choi, New York State Political Director, Communications Workers of America District 1 (CWA)
- Doreen Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, NY Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Eric Hines, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University
- David Langlais, Business Manager, Iron Workers Local 137 (IW)
- Amanda Lefton, Director, Bureau Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM)
- Grant Provost, Business Agent, Iron Workers Local 7 (IW)
3:15 PM Secretary Marty Walsh, U.S. Department of Labor
3:40 PM Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO
3:50 PM Closing and Call to Action
Kyle Bragg, President, Service Employees International Union, 32BJ (SEIU) & Climate Jobs NY
4:00 PM Adjourn
EPA Assistant Administrator Nominations: Amanda Howe for Mission Support, David Uhlmann for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and Carlton Waterhouse for Land and Emergency Management
On Wednesday, August 4, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on three of President Biden’s nominees to key positions at the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Amanda Howe to be Assistant Administrator for Mission Support of the Environmental Protection Agency
- David Uhlmann to be Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Carlton Waterhouse to be Assistant Administrator of Land and Emergency Management of the Environmental Protection Agency
Uhlmann, nominated to be the chief enforcement officer at EPA, served for 17 years as a federal prosecutor, including seven years as chief of the Environmental Crimes Section at the U.S. Department of Justice.
At the end of the 2020 election season, Uhlmann wrote of the urgency to enact sweeping climate legislation:The United States may soon have the chance, for the first time in more than a decade, to enact urgently needed legislation to address global climate change—but only if Democrats don’t repeat the mistakes they made at the start of the Obama administration.
The top corporate-polluter law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth warned that Uhlmann’s nomination “is a very strong signal of how serious” the Biden administration’s intention to “increase environmental enforcement” is, and that “companies should prioritize review of environmental compliance and performance and remain vigilant.”
Waterhouse, a Howard University law school graduate and professor, is an “an international expert on environmental law and environmental justice, as well as reparations and redress for historic injustices.” He served as an EPA lawyer from 1991 to 2000. If confirmed, he will oversee the Superfund and related programs.
Nominations of Geraldine Richmond to be Under Secretary for Science, and Asmeret Asefaw Berhe to be Director of the Office of Science, both of the Department of Energy, and Cynthia Weiner Stachelberg to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior
The purpose of the hearing is to consider the nominations of:
- Dr. Geraldine Richmond to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy
- Cynthia Weiner Stachelberg to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Policy, Management, and Budget)
- Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe to be Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy
Environmental concerns about adequate clean water resources have increasingly become more global with the recognition that unwanted chemicals in the atmosphere, in our soils and in our surface waters often transport well beyond the national boundaries of origin. As a result, there is a growing international urgency to understand environmental issues that can cross boundaries with climate change, healthy air quality and clean water resources being the most obvious. The focus of the studies in the Richmond Laboratory is to provide fundamental insights into molecular processes that underlie some of the aforementioned global concerns, with a particular focus on understanding environmentally important processes that occur at water surfaces and aqueous-oil boundary layers.
Winnie Stachelberg is a long-time executive at the Center for American Progress. Previously she was the political director for the Human Rights Campaign.
Dr. Asmeret Berhe is a soil biogeochemist who studies climate change. She was born and did undergraduate education in Eritrea before receiving a master’s degree in political ecology from Michigan State and her PhD from UC Berkeley. She is a professor and assistant dean at UC Merced.The main goal of her research is to understand the effect of changing environmental conditions on vital soil processes, most importantly the cycling and fate of essential elements in the critical zone. She studies soil processes in systems experiencing natural and/or anthropogenic perturbation in order to understand fundamental principles governed by geomorphology, and contemporary modifications introduced by changes in land use and climate.