April 22, 2022

Casten Statement on Earth Day

Downers Grove, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on Earth Day:

"As we mark Earth Day, the threat of climate change has never been greater. The recent IPCC report has made clear we are running out of time to address this crisis—we are in a code red emergency. Our children and grandchildren deserve a livable planet, and we have a duty to do everything we can to provide them with one. With a clean energy leader in the White House, science-affirming majorities in Congress, and a mandate from the American people to deliver on climate, we have a window for action and a moral obligation not to let it pass us by. We must restart the bicameral reconciliation negotiations recognizing climate provisions as a key starting point where common ground can be pursued."

Last month, Rep. Casten led 88 of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to restart reconciliation negotiations.

Over the last year, Rep. Casten has further cemented himself as one of Congress' most effective pro-climate leaders. Since the last Earth Day, Rep. Casten has:

  • Led the viral #HotFERCSummer campaign that led to the speedy confirmation of a fifth FERC commissioner

  • Passed an amendment to the NDAA to require 10% of existing and future military installations to reach net zero emissions by 2035.

  • Secured funding for his Clean Industrial Technologies Act, which will unleash innovation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources and make American companies more competitive in the global economy.

  • Passed his Climate Risk Disclosure Act through the House, which would protect our financial system against the climate crisis by requiring public companies to disclose information about their exposure to climate-related risks

  • Secured funding for his Better Energy Storage Technology Act, which would would direct the Energy Department to establish a battery energy research and demonstration program within its Office of Electricity to encourage grid-scale energy storage systems.

  • Introduced the EV GRID Act to meet the increasing electricity demand of EV charging infrastructure at the pace necessary to achieve President Biden's climate, cost reduction, and energy independence goals.

  • Led a letter to House Leadership urging a direct cash rebate to consumers impacted by high gas prices, paid for by a partial or total repeal of the $650B in federal tax subsidies provided to fossil fuel companies.

  • Secured over $149,000,000 for Illinois to expand its electric vehicle charging network through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

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