Environment
Enacting policies that assist in our ongoing efforts to reverse the effects of a changing climate, while protecting our air, water, lands, oceans, and wildlife remains a priority of the Congresswoman’s. Throughout America’s history, we have often been presented the challenge of protecting and preserving the environment while maintaining growth and responsible industrial progress. The Congresswoman believes that today, we can do both.<br />\
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A great deal of debate continues around environmental regulations in Congress. In August 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first ever carbon pollution standards for new power plants, called the Clean Power Plan. Previously, there were no limits to the amount of carbon pollution that power plants could emit. The Congresswoman supports these new standards, which reflect ongoing trends in the power sector to build cleaner plants and use American made clean energy technologies. California strongly supports the Clean Power Plan, and the Congresswoman is pleased that our state is well on its way to going beyond the plan’s requirements, recently enacting legislation that requires California generate half of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.<br />\
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The Congresswoman is also a strong proponent for sensible conservation efforts that would protect our diverse environmental legacy. From our vast oceans to our precious national parks, all aspects of our environment must be considered. The Congresswoman believes we must not only protect these lands for native wildlife, but also because they provide vital outdoor opportunities for Americans.<br />\
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The Congresswoman will continue working to uphold environmental regulations, protect wildlife sanctuaries, and to improve the quality of our air and water for future generations.<br />\
<h2>Accomplishments</h2>\
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<li>Named Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition for the 115th Congress.</li>\
<li>Legislation coauthored by Congresswoman Matsui resulted in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implementing rules in 2016 to protect consumers from potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde in wood products.</li>\
<li>Secured over $1 million in federal grants for low-emission buses and clean-fuel equipment for Sacramento Regional Transit.</li>\
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<h2>Legislation</h2>\
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<li>H.R.3107 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2017</li>\
<li>H.R. 5226 Clean and Efficient Cars Act of 2018</li>\
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)and Alex Padilla (D-CA), reintroduced legislation aimed at reducing harmful pollution from the global shipping industry. Maritime shipping is a significant source of greenhouse gas pollution around the world and a major contributor to local air pollution in port communities.
Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force Reps. Doris Matsui (CA), Don Beyer (VA), and Maxine Dexter (OR) sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum in response to DOI’s Regulatory Reform Request for Information (RFI) published on May 20, which aims to undermine public land management on behalf of polluting industries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led a group of 23 lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Howard Lutnick and Acting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Laura Grimm, demanding that the Trump Administration restore 24/7 operations at the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Sacramento and Hanford Forecast Offices.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, released the following statement after Senate Republicans passed H.J.Res. 87, 88, and 89, overturning the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act waivers for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Cars II, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus rules, effectively blocking these rules from being implemented.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement after she voted NO on House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill. The bill will cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid and take health care away from millions of Americans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, environmental champions in the House of Representatives held a press conference at the Capitol blasting House Republicans’ Tax Scam as a massive giveaway to billionaires and mega-polluters, funded entirely by selling out our health, economy, and children’s future. This corrupt Republican scheme is an attack on every American who values reducing costs, clean air and water, public health, and a thriving American economy.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, released the following statement rebuking House Republicans’ effort to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act waivers for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Cars II, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus rules.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on Arbor Day, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the TREES Act, a bill that will help homeowners lower energy costs, increase tree canopy in underserved communities, and help mitigate the effects of climate change through residential tree planting.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led a group of 48 lawmakers in introducing a resolution to commemorate Earth Day 2025.

