Energy and Environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) slammed the latest anti-environment bill from House Republicans, H.R. 3905, The MINER Act, which would do irreparable harm to federally-protected land by allowing a foreign company to use a half-century-old lease to mine right next door to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. Click here for video of Congressman McGovern’s speech. “H.R. 3905 would allow a Chilean mining company, which is facing tens of millions of dollars in fines... Read More »

Today U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) led debate for House Democrats on the House floor against the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act, a bill from House Republicans that limits the participation of scientific experts at the EPA, and would lead to a disproportionate representation of big business and corporate special interests. Below are excerpts of today’s remarks. HOUSE GOP IGNORES REAL ISSUES “Today we are considering a piece of legislation that seeks to prevent the EPA from protecti... Read More »

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) is pleased to announce $950,000 in federal grant money from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program to parks and recreational projects in Worcester, Northampton, Leominster, Northborough, and Sutton. On Saturday, McGovern was in Sutton to announce $150,000 to Marion’s Camp Lodge for renovations and woodland trail development. Located on Lake Singletary in Sutton, for nearly 60 years, Marion’s Camp served as the Central Ma... Read More »

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) released the following statement on today’s announcement by Kinder Morgan Inc. that it will suspend further work and expenditures on its proposed Northeast Energy Direct-Tennessee Gas pipeline. “Today is a big victory for Western Massachusetts and our state’s future as a leader in clean and renewable energy. With the defeat of this pipeline, it is clear that the voices of Western Massachusetts families have been heard. I am so proud of the incredible activism led ... Read More »

FLINT, MI – Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Katherine Clark (MA-05) joined a congressional delegation to Flint, Michigan, to hear directly from residents affected by the city’s ongoing water crisis. In addition to McGovern and Clark, the twenty-five other Members of Congress joined the trip to Flint, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (SC-06), and leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus. ... Read More »

Today Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) applauded President Obama’s proposal to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support public lands in Massachusetts and across the country. In December 2015, Congressman McGovern joined Republicans and Democrats to pass the bipartisan Omnibus appropriations bill that reauthorized the LWCF for three years to strengthen the conservation efforts it supports. In his FY17 budget, President Obama calls for investing $900 million in conservatio... Read More »

On the House floor today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) led debate for House Democrats on the consideration of H.R. 3662, The Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act; H.R. 1644, the STREAM Act; and S.J. Res. 22. Congressman McGovern called out House Republicans for pushing politically motivated legislation aimed at undermining the Iran Deal, and two bills aimed at limiting critical environmental protections. On H.R. 3662, the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act “House Republicans are…playing dan... Read More »

Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced that Massachusetts has been awarded $63.7 million by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be primarily used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems, as well as replacing aging infrastructure, throughout the state. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, ... Read More »

Today on the House floor, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) led the push by House Democrats to defeat three House Republican bills which would undermine critical progress made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Obama administration’s continued efforts to address climate change. Click here for video of today’s floor speech. Speaking on the rule for consideration of these bills, Congressman McGovern said today’s measures are “yet another pander to big money, fossil fuels, and spec... Read More »

Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) released the following statement after President Obama announced that the Administration was denying the permit for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline: “Today, I am pleased to see that President Obama rejected the Keystone tar sands pipeline. I appreciate his continued commitment to investing in clean energy. “Since 2008, the U.S. has doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas by 2025 and significantly increased the power we generate from ... Read More »