Energy and Environment

Today, President Obama announced that the federal government will begin to increase its use of renewable energy to 20% by 2020.  Below is Congressman Matt Cartwright’s statement on the announcement: “Saying the government should lead by example, President Obama announced today that he is ordering the federal government to increase its use of renewable energy to 20…

House Democrats wrote to several Pennsylvania House Republicans today who have expressed support for a clean government funding bill and urged them to sign onto a discharge petition this Saturday that will allow an up or down vote on a clean bill to reopen the government as early as next week.  Unless House leadership schedules an immediate vote on a clean bill, a discharge petition…

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) with the support of 26 additional members of Congress.  Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL).Since 1994, more than 39,000 Pennsylvania residents have…

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Closing Loopholes and Ending Arbitrary and Needless Evasion of Regulations (CLEANER) Act along with Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2).  The legislation, introduced with 43 co-sponsors and endorsed by 137 organizations from across the country, aims to eliminate a hazardous waste exemption that was added onto the Resource Conservation and…

Bushkill, PA – The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) today welcome Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17) to discuss what hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” could mean for national parks and trails, including the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, and how the…

Last night, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright led the charge against the proposed Chabot Amendment, which aimed to zero out the funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).   The amendment, which failed by a vote of 273-147, was offered as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.“ARC’s purpose is to close the economic gap…

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17) issued the following statement prior to President Obama’s speech in regards to climate change that is set to take place tomorrow:“We’ve reached 400 ppm carbon dioxide pollution and are quickly reaching catastrophic atmospheric tipping points.  If we do not slow, stop and reverse climate change, the consequences will be…

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright will take on the SNAP Challenge this Wednesday, limiting himself to $4.50 for a day’s worth of food.  This is the current average daily benefit for a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps.”Cartwright will participate in the SNAP Challenge on Wednesday, June 19th and will keep a…

Today Rep. Matt Cartwright announced that Nazareth Area Middle School has been recognized as a Department of Education Green Ribbon School.  The recognition award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates…

Today Congressman Matt Cartwright introduced the bipartisan Military Family Leave Act with 25 original co-sponsors.  The bill would allow parents, children and spouses of military service members to spend time with a loved one who has received notification of impending active duty deployment.  The legislation would give certain immediate family members two weeks unpaid leave…