Environment
I am fighting to ensure all Americans breathe clean air and water and have access to pristine natural environments. Coastal Virginia is home to one of our nation’s greatest natural resources, the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay generates $33 billion in economic value annually and hosts one of the most important sites for ecological diversity in North America. Without full support for Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts, however, the progress made in restoration will remain fragile.
That is why I introduced the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act, which will authorize more funding for crucial EPA cleanup efforts in the Bay watershed. I am also fighting for funding for Chesapeake Bay priorities through the annual budget process. I worked with my colleagues to secure $85 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program for 2020, a $12 million increase over the previous year’s funding level. I am also a member of the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, where I work with my colleagues to advance our shared goals of a clean and healthy Bay.
More on Environment
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Luria announced her support for the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC) extension. In 2014, President Obama announced the creation of the NDRC, which awarded $1 billion in competitive grants to states and localities. Under federal law, Virginia must use its NDRC grant funds by 2022. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for the Commonwealth to finish its resiliency projects by that deadline.
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its findings and recommendations for how Congress should address the challenges posed by climate change, such as sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The report highlighted the need to support research and development for next-generation nuclear technology, specifically citing Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s bill, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (H.R. 3306).
WASHINGTON – Today, the House voted to pass Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act.
H.R. 1620 would fully fund the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program at a level of $455 million over the next five years. The bill also provides funding for local projects.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria today announced the House passage of the PFAS Action Act of 2019 (H.R. 535). This bipartisan bill, which Congresswoman Luria cosponsored, would take critical steps to clean sites contaminated by hazardous per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across Coastal Virginia and America.
WASHINGTON – Over the past year, Congresswoman Luria has fiercely advocated for Coastal Virginia’s environment by fighting for several legislative initiatives such as the health of the Chesapeake Bay and common-sense initiatives for addressing coastal resiliency.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) voted for two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages advancing key priorities for Coastal Virginia and national security interests.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria announced House passage of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act (H.R. 729). This bipartisan bill contains her amendment advancing the coastal resiliency of military communities.
“Rising sea levels and recurrent flooding present immense challenges to communities throughout Hampton Roads as well as our nation’s military readiness,” Congresswoman Luria said. “My amendment improves H.R. 729 to better position military communities in Coastal Virginia.”
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) and other members of the New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force this week condemned President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would begin the withdrawal process from the Paris Climate Accord, leaving America as the only nation to abandon the global effort to combat climate change.
The four task force leaders stressed the importance of the United States’ recommitment to the agreement and our nation’s role as a global leader in combatting climate change:
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week met with her office’s Chesapeake Bay Advisory Board to brief our region’s key stakeholders about her legislative efforts to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today voted for Congressman Joe Cunningham’s (SC-01) Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, which would permanently ban offshore gas and oil drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman and New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Climate Change Task Force Co-Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02), along with NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52), and the other Co-Chairs of the NDC Climate Change Task Force, Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Sean Casten (IL-06), and Susan Wild (PA-07), have released policy principles to combat climate change with the seriousness and urgency it demands.
VIRGINIA BEACH – Highlighting one of the most pressing environmental issues facing coastal communities, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) on Wednesday participated in a town hall to discuss her strong opposition to offshore drilling.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced the House of Representatives approved her amendment as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would compel the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on how the Department of Defense (DoD) can enter into more energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs).
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week secured language in a House-passed funding bill directing the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies to prioritize important issues related to military readiness, renewable energy, and veteran assistance.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today spoke on the House Floor and commended the passage of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.’s (NJ-06) amendment to prohibit federal spending to advance oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic Ocean. Congresswoman Luria cosponsored the Pallone amendment.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced House passage of more than $2 billion in funding she requested for important NASA priorities, including a critical project at NASA Langley Research Center that would improve climate modeling abilities and better predict flooding and other damaging weather events in military and coastal communities.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced House passage of $110 million in funding she requested for important environmental priorities, including $85 million for the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program – a $12 million increase over the last fiscal year.
WASHINGTON – This week, members of the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the impacts of climate change on military installations and operational readiness.
The hearing, titled “Ensuring Resiliency of Military Installations and Operations in Response to Climate Change,” convened expert witnesses to provide testimony on the immediate and long-term effects climate change will have on the military.