Jayapal Statement on the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act
SEATTLE — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force, released the following statement after voting against H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act:
“As climate disasters continue to get worse and occur more often, it is not the time for half steps. It is the time for bold environmental policies that match the scale of this alarming climate crisis. While this legislation contains many important pieces, it ultimately falls short for the moment we are in.
“Instead of investing in more technologies that generate hazardous, radioactive waste or that increase our dependence on fossil fuel technologies, we should be working towards a 100 percent renewable energy future. We should be focused on environmental justice and frontline communities in every aspect of our efforts so we can finally guarantee a safe, healthy future to all. To do that, we must ensure that we are no longer supporting the very energy sources that harm frontline communities and our climate the most.
“I look forward to developing energy policy that is in line with climate justice so that we fully focus on efforts that further the essential components of jobs, justice and decarbonization.”
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Issues: Environment, Jobs, Labor, & the Economy