Rep. Mike Levin Applauds President Biden’s Action to Combat Climate Crisis
San Juan Capistrano, CA – U.S. Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) applauded President Joe Biden’s executive action today to combat the climate crisis, protect public lands, and foster clean energy job creation. Rep. Levin specifically praised Biden’s Executive Order pausing new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters in order to review leasing practices, which aligns with legislation he introduced during the 116th Congress to reform the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas leasing program, strengthen public land protections, and increase community participation in the program. Rep. Levin is planning to re-introduce that legislation in the coming weeks.
“The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, and President Biden’s historic action today is a breath of fresh air for everyone fighting to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren,” said Rep. Levin. “After four years of climate science denial, we finally have leaders in the White House again who recognize that the climate crisis is also a national security, economic, and public health crisis. Among many important actions taken today, I am particularly heartened to see a pause on new oil and gas leases on public lands and offshore waters in order to review leasing practices, which aligns with legislation I led to end giveaways to fossil fuel companies and instead provide transparency and accountability over their efforts to exploit public lands. I’m also glad to see Biden’s action to adopt zero-emission vehicles, something I have long-called for to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and grow our economy by creating clean energy jobs of the future right here in America. I look forward to partnering with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to advance robust climate action.”
Rep. Levin introduced the Restoring Community Input and Public Protection in Oil and Gas Leasing Act during the 116th Congress to protect taxpayers and end giveaways for fossil fuel companies by eliminating noncompetitive oil and gas leasing, requiring companies to pay a fee to nominate lands for leasing, and raising the onshore oil and gas royalty rate, rental fee, and the minimum bid amount. The bill also increases transparency in the leasing process, restores community input, and safeguards environmental resources by enhancing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act
Rep. Levin also introduced the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Act during the 116th Congress to facilitate nationwide adoption of zero-emission vehicles, and the Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act to fund the installation of ZEV charging infrastructure on public lands and facilitate the conversion of Park Service and Forest Service fleets to ZEVs.
Rep. Levin is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
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