Environment
I am fighting to ensure all Americans can breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have access to pristine natural environments. Protecting our local natural treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, is among my top priorities in Congress. 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.
I introduced the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act, which would authorize more funding for crucial EPA cleanup efforts in the Bay watershed. On October 30, 2020, President Trump signed my bill into law as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Act is a bipartisan bill that will invest in wetland conservation throughout North America, proving how important this legislation is to the Commonwealth and our region.
In addition to preserving our waterways, we must also protect and conserve public lands and wildlife. That is why I cosponsored and voted for the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law on August 4, 2020. This legislation will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), as well as improve and make necessary upgrades to our renowned national parks. Over the last four decades, Virginia has received nearly $360.8 million from the LWCF, supporting projects in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge, and Virginia battlefields like Yorktown. Permanently funding the LWCF was a major bipartisan win for Virginia’s national parks and battlefields.
More on Environment
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Today, Congresswoman Luria announced that President Trump has signed the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (S. 3051) into law. This bipartisan bill contains provisions that would help restore and clean the Chesapeake Bay, including the Congresswoman’s bill, the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria voted in favor of the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act (H.R.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Luria announced she has cosponsored H.Res.1078, which would designate the week of September 19 through September 26 as National Estuaries Week. This bipartisan resolution seeks to draw attention to the vital economic, environmental, and recreational roles of estuaries to communities throughout Coastal Virginia and our nation.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA— Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria met with her Chesapeake Bay Advisory Board to brief our region’s key stakeholders about her legislative efforts to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Recently, Congresswoman Luria joined Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) to call on House leadership to hold a vote on H.R. 925, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. This bipartisan bill contains provisions that would help restore and clean the Chesapeake Bay, including the Congresswoman’s bill, the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act.
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.