In the News
San Diego Union-Tribune: My congressional district includes San Onofre. Here’s my plan for moving nuclear waste.
Since I took office in 2019, one of my top priorities has been moving the spent nuclear fuel from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station as quickly and safely as possible. Keeping spent fuel at the San Onofre station long term is unacceptable, with its location about 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean, near active fault lines, surrounded by highly populated areas and within the Camp Pendleton military base. The situation at the San Onofre nuclear plant is the symptom of a far larger problem. … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
The Washington Post: Why resuming tariffs on Chinese solar firms threatens U.S. climate goals
Below, we have an exclusive on a new permitting proposal from Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Mike Levin (D-Calif.). But first: To counter China, Congress could reimpose crushing tariffs on solar imports A growing number of congressional Democrats are backing a measure that would undo President Biden’s temporary pause on crushing tariffs on certain solar imports. It’s the latest example of how mounting anti-China sentiment in Washington has … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Times of San Diego: Earth Day Is a Yearly Reminder that Congress Must Prioritize Action on Climate Change
As we enter into spring’s warmer weather and celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to recognize all those who work to protect and preserve our environment for future generations and what’s at risk if we don’t take immediate action on climate change. Our region is home to many natural wonders, from beaches and estuaries to canyons and wildlife, and each year on Earth Day we celebrate and promote environmental awareness and encourage actions to protect our planet. It is a … Continue Reading
November 11, 2022
Times of San Diego: Rep. Mike Levin: Veterans Day a Reminder That Congress Must Continue to Help Our Vets
As we move past a tumultuous election season full of negative attacks and partisanship, I think it's important to remember what public service is really about. And for me, there is no better time to do that than Veterans Day. Each year on Veterans Day, our nation gives thanks for the heroism of the millions of veterans who have served and fought to defend our democracy. The brave men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves … Continue Reading
May 04, 2022
Times of San Diego: ‘Gut Punch’: 3 Congress Members Tell Abortion Allies How They Really Feel
Rep. Mike Levin said he was "angry and disgusted." Rep. Scott Peters saw it as "something out of some horror/sci-fi movie." Rep. Sara Jacobs described a "gut punch." And county Supervisor Nora Vargas admitted being "pissed." Twenty-four hours after stunning news dropped about a draft opinion of the U.S Supreme Court spelling the end to a half-century of legal abortion in America, top Democrats channeled rage at a downtown rally Tuesday. But it was Loxie Gant, a 36-year-old activist for … Continue Reading
May 04, 2022
San Clemente Times: News Next Door: Bipartisan Legislation Supports Desalination Research, Projects
New legislation that U.S. Reps. Mike Levin and Nancy Mace introduced late last month could provide more grant funding to the study and advancement of desalination technology, benefiting endeavors including the proposed Doheny Ocean Desalination Project in Dana Point. If enacted, H.R. 7612, or the Desalination Research Advancement Act, would increase the number of research grants the Bureau of Reclamation is authorized to fund, raising the cap from $5 million to $20 million per year through … Continue Reading
April 22, 2022
The Capistrano Dispatch: Efforts to Move Nuclear Fuel Out of SONGS Continue as Government Officials Note Progress
Rep. Mike Levin and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm met with Southern California Edison officials Thursday, April 21, at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) to review the decommissioned facility's safety measures. While there has not been tangible movement since DOE closed its request for information regarding the consent-based siting process to store the nation's spent nuclear fuel (SNF), the government figures left assured that Edison was properly … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
CBS 8 News: 'This facility is unique' | Energy Secretary visits San Onofre to discuss solutions for nuclear waste storage
SAN DIEGO - The Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy paid a visit to the San Onofre nuclear site Thursday to discuss the search for solutions on nuclear waste storage. "We know how to store nuclear waste safely," said Secretary Jennifer Granholm. "The question is where we do it." A stalemate has plagued this issue for decades, but they're hoping to make progress in finding an interim storage location for the spent nuclear fuel sitting in cannisters at San Onofre. "This facility is … Continue Reading
April 20, 2022
San Diego Union-Tribune: Secretary of Veterans Affairs highlights renaming of San Diego’s VA Medical Center during visit
LA JOLLA - Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough highlighted challenges such as transportation support and homelessness during a visit Wednesday to the Veterans Affairs medical center in San Diego. "We won't rest until every vet is housed ... no veteran should live homeless," said McDonough, who served as White House chief-of-staff during the Obama administration. He said the federal government plans to move 38,000 homeless vets across the nation into permanent … Continue Reading
April 18, 2022
The Coast News: Congressman, local police officials rally support for federal funding bill
CARLSBAD - Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA) and local law enforcement representatives held a press conference on April 15 at the Carlsbad Police Department lobbying Congress to establish a grant program to help support smaller law enforcement agencies. The bill, Invest to Protect Act, would establish a grant program of $50 million per year for law enforcement departments with 200 or fewer employees, Levin said. The funding would be used for de-escalation training, officer safety, domestic … Continue Reading
April 15, 2022
San Diego Union-Tribune: Bill seeks to help small police departments buy gear, pay hiring and retention bonuses
CARLSBAD - A bipartisan bill working through Congress seeks to help small police departments buy gear and pay hiring and retention bonuses - a bill that the congressman whose district straddles coastal North County and Orange County is co-sponsoring. Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, joined the presidents of the Carlsbad police union and the state's largest police labor organization Friday outside Carlsbad Police Department to express support for the bill, dubbed the Invest to Protect … Continue Reading
April 11, 2022
Washington Post: What Should America Do With Its Nuclear Waste?
A little more than a decade ago, Marni Magda was reading Scientific American magazine in her living room when she came across an infographic titled "Aging Fleet under Review." Published shortly after an earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the two-page spread showed a map of nuclear facilities across the United States, with color coding to indicate seismic risk. Looking to her own region, coastal Southern California, Magda spotted a nuclear plant … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Times of San Diego: Rep. Mike Levin: Our High Gas Prices Are Caused by Pandemic, Putin, and Price Gouging
There's no question we're all feeling pain from high gas prices. The average price of regular gas in California is now around $6.00 per gallon. While Americans are hurting, politicians and pundits are pointing fingers and oversimplifying the problem to serve their narrative of choice. It's counterproductive, and it's doing an incredible disservice to everyone who simply wants solutions. The reality is that high gas prices are a far more complex problem than the pundits would lead you to … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
KUSI: San Diego’s House of Ukraine meets with Congressman Mike Levin
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) - Representatives from the House of Ukraine have been raising money since the Russians first invaded the country, and recently were able to meet with Congressman Mike Levin about their efforts, and what else can be done in the future. [Watch video of the report here.] President of the House of Ukraine, Mira Rubin, joined KUSI's Paul Rudy on Good Morning San Diego to discuss the meeting and future plans. For more information visit: … Continue Reading
March 18, 2022
ABC 10 News: San Diego VA Medical Center renamed after fallen US Army nurse
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Jennifer Moreno was just 25-years-old when she died. The Army captain and nurse was killed during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2013 while trying to help a fallen fellow soldier. "She was always somebody to put others before her," said Moreno's sister, Yaritza Cordova."It's been eight years but its also really fresh at the same time." Growing up, Cordova says they were close and remembers Moreno taking care of her like a second mother. When Moreno enlisted, Cordova says … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
San Diego Union-Tribune: NCTD gets federal funds for 8 zero-emission buses
North County Transit District announced it has been awarded a $4.8 million grant to help buy eight hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. The money from the Federal Transit Administration's 2021 Bus and Bus Facilities Program brings the transit district closer to its goal of deploying 25 of the hydrogen-powered buses by March 2025. "NCTD remains committed to being on the forefront of zero-emissions technology, providing clean transportation choices for our customers, and improving the air … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
OC Register: Two massive OC sand projects funded to add a beach buffer to battle erosion
President Joe Biden signed a budget bill Tuesday, March 15, that includes millions of dollars to replenish sand along two large sections of Orange County's coastline. Replacing the lost sand isn't just about preserving space for sunbathing and recreation, officials say, it secures an important buffer to keep the ocean from battering and flooding streets, homes and other infrastructure. Local communities have been awaiting this funding for several years, watching in the meantime as the … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
Coast News: Congressman secures $5M for Carlsbad Barrio lights, traffic circles
CARLSBAD - The City of Carlsbad will receive a federal cash infusion for street lighting and traffic circles in the Barrio neighborhood. Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA) secured $5 million for the Carlsbad project after congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, a funding bill for a variety of priorities, according to Eric Mee, Levin's communications director. According to Levin, the legislation will distribute more than $21 million to North County and South Orange … Continue Reading
March 15, 2022
San Diego Union-Tribune: Local lawmakers claim hundreds of millions for military, local projects
San Diego - San Diego's Congressional delegation and other lawmakers secured $107 million for local community projects and $127 million for local military and veteran projects as part of the massive federal spending bill federal lawmakers passed last week, officials announced. The $1.5 trillion appropriations bill, which authorizes federal spending through October, averts a shutdown and directs $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine and $15.6 billion to the national pandemic response. The bill … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
San Diego Union-Tribune: Biden signs bill renaming VA Medical Center for fallen San Diego Army nurse Capt. Jennifer Moreno
President Joe Biden signed legislation Monday renaming the Veterans Affairs medical center in San Diego in honor of Capt. Jennifer Moreno, an Army nurse killed in 2013 during a Special Operations raid in Afghanistan. The bill, written by Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, changes the name of the medical center to "Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center." The White House thanked each San Diego representative by name - Democrats Levin, Scott Peters, Sara Jacobs and … Continue Reading