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Energy and Environment

Rep. Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Prevent Coal Companies from Pushing Their Cleanup Responsibilities to Taxpayers

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the bicameral Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act, H.R. 5500, legislation that would prohibit the practice of self-bonding nationwide. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. “The practice of self-bonding…

GAO Report Highlights International Efforts to Combat the Effects of Climate Change

Today, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that, while the United States has made steps to address weather-related disasters, numerous lessons can be learned from other countries across the world which have passed laws and have taken concrete strides to mitigate the risk of climate change. The GAO report, at the request of Congressman Cartwright (D-PA),…

Rep. Cartwright, Sen. Reed Introduce Effort to Modernize the SECs Industry Guides for Oil, Gas, and Mining Companies to Improve Climate Risk Transparency

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-17) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI) introduced legislation, in both the House and Senate, in an effort to modernize the Securities and Exchange Commission’s industry guides for oil, gas, and mining companies to improve climate risk transparency. In 2010, the SEC provided interpretive guidance, which was intended to provide greater…

GAO, Democratic Leaders: National Climate Information System Could Better Help Officials Plan for Extreme Weather Events, Prevent Billions in Damages

Washington, DC – Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that, in the face of global climate change, more can be done in the United States to share useful climate data so that leaders at the federal, state, and local level, as well as those in the private sector, can better prepare for future extreme weather events and prevent billions of dollars in damages.

Rep. Cartwright Announces $110,000 Appalachian Regional Commission Grant Awarded to Monroe County

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Monroe County a $110,000 grant.  The funds will be used towards the Monroe County Energy Conservation and Efficiency Initiative. The proposed project is expected to benefit residents by further minimizing the need for tax increases.  “The funding for the Energy…

GAO Releases Report on Opportunities to Improve the Management of Extreme-Weather Risks

Washington, DC – In response to a request from U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report outlining the vulnerabilities federal agencies still face due to lack of planning for extreme weather events. This work follows up on GAO’s previous High Risk Reports of 2013 and 2015 which also identified extreme weather as a significant source of fiscal exposure to the federal government.

Rep. Cartwright Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Coal Royalty Loophole; Invest Funds in Appalachian Coal Community Development Initiatives

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the Coal Royalty Fairness and Communities Investment Act of 2015, a bill that would provide $100 million to struggling coal communities to help build economic resilience, diversify industries, and promote new job creation opportunities; ensure fair returns on publicly owned coal; and improve the transparency of the federal coal program.…

Rep. Cartwright, Senator Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Protect Natural Resources from Climate Change

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) re-introduced the Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act, legislation that would safeguard the country’s natural resources from the increasingly harmful effects of climate change.  “Climate change poses an immediate and long-term threat to the natural resources and…