Energy and Environment

Yesterday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released to the public a dire report regarding the sustainability of the federal Black Lung Trust Fund, which covers medical and living expenses for former coal mine workers who have the devastating and potentially deadly disease of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (also known as black lung disease). The Trust Fund is supported…

U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright announced successful passage of his amendment to the House FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill that will restore necessary funding for NASA’s critical Climate Monitoring System (CMS).  This system develops methods for monitoring, reporting, and verifying the measurement of harmful global warming emissions. President…

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright offered his support for the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendation, announced today, that the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) be amended to prohibit coal companies from the practice of self-bonding for coal mine reclamation – or, in other words, self-insuring for environmental cleanup. …

Scranton, PA– U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright is pleased to announce that the USDA is inviting applications for loan guarantees and grants for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects.   These loan guarantees and grants are part of USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which was created under the 2008 Farm Bill and reauthorized…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced legislation that would create manufacturing and construction jobs while saving energy. The Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act would establish a Department of Energy (DOE) program to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers make energy efficient upgrades. “This bill supports family-sustaining jobs, helps…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced a bill to protect the country’s wildlife and natural resources from climate change. Building on existing federal, state, and local efforts, Whitehouse and Cartwright’s Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act would establish an integrated national…

Today, Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation that will help improve America’s public health response to climate change by supporting research, monitoring, and preparation in the health sector and by developing a national action plan.  Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), Doris Matsui (CA-06), and Salud Carbajal…

Northampton, PA – Today, Congressman Matt Cartwright announced that Nurture Nature Center in Easton received a $267,394 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The distributing grant program, Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI), supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among…

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright re-introduced legislation that would incentivize water conservation and help consumers cut costs on water bills. The WATER Use Act (H.R. 3248) would codify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s WaterSense program, which helps consumers identify water-efficient products, such as faucets and toilets. WaterSense is a voluntary certification…

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) announced that he joined the bipartisan Climate Solution Caucus. The Climate Solution Caucus aims to educate Members of Congress on economically-viable and bipartisan options to reduce climate risks and to address impacts of climate change. Caucus membership is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. “I’m glad to…