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 (CA-07), co-chair of theHouse 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 54 lawmakers in introducing a resolution to commemorate Earth Day 2024.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), and Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD), sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in strong support of the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) proposal to amend all land management plans across the National Forest System to conserve existing old-growth forest and recruit future old-growth forest across America. The letter was signed by 48 House Democrats.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalization of new tailpipe emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, model years 2027 and beyond.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizing new light-duty vehicle tailpipe emission standards for cars and SUVs, model years 2027 and beyond.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Reps. Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement unveiling the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Reps. Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) led a group of 20 lawmakers in a letter to senior White House officials, urging them to swiftly finalize a strong heavy-duty vehicle emissions rule and make strategic investments in charging and fueling infrastructure for zero-emission trucks along key freight corridors.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Kathy Castor (FL-14) led a group of 49 lawmakers in sending a letter to House and Senate Appropriations leadership, urging them to reject appropriations provisions that would gut new energy efficiency standards.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and John Sarbanes (D-MD) 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. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act, bicameral legislation to give individuals the opportunity to buy Clean Energy Victory Bonds and help build America’s clean-energy future.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), delivered the following remarks on the House floor in opposition to H.R. 1435. H.R. 1435 would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to block California from implementing state-level vehicle emission standards under the Clean Air Act.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 1435.

