Energy & the Environment
California's 37th Congressional District is home to beautiful natural landscapes that we must preserve for future generations.
Congressmember Karen Bass understands that protecting the environment is a critical part of protecting the health of all Americans. Clean air and water and the preservation of natural resources are issues of utmost concern to protect both Americans today and of future generations. Combating climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing both our nation and the entire international community.
In order to address these issues, Congressmember Bass is committed to investing in new technology and renewable resources that meet America’s increasing energy needs and protect both the environment and national security. Representative Bass believes that investing in cleaner, more cost-effective energy will reduce the effects of global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create clean energy jobs here in America.
Key Environmental Initiatives & Accomplishments
Congressmember Karen Bass is committed to advancing legislation that protects the environment, preserves our natural resources, and provides safe and humane conditions for animals. In fact, as highlighted by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard, Representative Bass has one of the strongest environmental voting records of any Member of the Congress.
Bass Legislation
- Introduced Legislation Banning Use of Federal Funds For Fracking At Inglewood Oil Field
- Read Amendment text here: H.AMDT.286 to H.R.2609
- Voted against the development of the Keystone XL pipeline
- H.R. 3: Northern Route Approval Act
- Voted against drastic cuts to clean energy development and clean water protection
- H.R. 2609: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014
- Voted for protection of conservation programs
- H.R. 2642: Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013
·Co-sponsored Legislation
- H.R.1154: BREATHE Act
- H.R.1351: Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013
- H.R.627: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
- H.R.139: Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act
- H.R.1175: Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydrofracking Environmental Regulation Act of 2013
- H.R.1921: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2013
- H.R. 1998: Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act
- H.R. 847: Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
Environmental Issues in California’s 37th District
California’s 37th District includes a number of environmental treasures as well as a very sizable constituency of environmental activists. Representative Bass is committed to continuing to amplify the voice of her constituents and prioritize the environment in Congress.
Local environmental priorities include:
- Expanding park and recreational facilities
- Ensuring safe extraction of oil in the Inglewood Oil Field
- Protecting Ballona Creek
- Implementing the ground-breaking environmental laws in California, such as AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act
- Reducing pollution by supporting the expansion of public transportation – like the Crenshaw-LAX Light Rail, the Westside Extension Subway, and expanded bus routes
- Cleaning up brownfields
For more information concerning my work and views on energy and the environment, please contact my Washington, DC office. I look forward to your feedback.
More on Energy & the Environment
“Climate change denial and policy implementation with no regard for scientific findings make the U.S. look backwards and ridiculous on the world stage. There is no doubt in my mind that the Trump administration’s renegotiation of the Paris Climate Accord will fail to sufficiently protect the environment. This action is President Trump taking yet another step to cede our international leadership by adding our country’s name to the two-country list of Nicaragua and Syria as those that have declined to be a part of this landmark deal.
“The purpose of the meeting, which I think we made very clear, was to answer his question about what our community has to lose,” Rep. Bass said after the meeting. “It’s his budget, it’s his policy, it’s his rhetoric; all of these factors demonstrate what we stand to lose and in some cases, what we’ve already begun to lose in the first fifty days of his administration.”
During the meeting, the CBC Members will provide the President with short- and long-term solutions he can act on during his presidency to advance the African-American community in the United States.
“During the President’s campaign, he asked our community what we have to lose,” Rep. Bass said. “I think the Caucus is looking forward to answering this question and presenting options for the President to explore and hopefully implement.”
“The President’s budget blueprint has forgotten Americans, making cuts to lifesaving programs by taking away investments in foreign aid, housing, and environmental protections. Draconian cuts of $11 billion at the State Department and the elimination of the US Trade and Development Agency will make us less safe by diminishing our international diplomatic leadership. Abolishing the Community Development Block Grant and further housing cuts of over $6 billion will damage the development of local communities. A 31.4% cut to the EPA only adds to the damage.
“The Trump administration’s dangerous disregard for environmental science is now becoming harmful to the economy,” Rep. Bass. “Fuel efficient vehicles help drivers with low costs at the gas pump and emit fewer harmful emissions. Rolling back vehicle emission standards that have helped drive US carbon pollution to its lowest level in decades is a threat to the economy as other countries race ahead investing in clean energy and combating climate change.”
Climate change amplifies existing health threats, such as heart attacks, asthma, and other respiratory diseases, and it disproportionately impacts low-income and minority communities.
The results of the election do not change the urgent need for climate action. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under threat, and an incoming administration that denies the clear science, citizen engagement is more important than ever.
“President Trump's two executive actions today to advance construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines clearly show his lack of commitment to ensuring clean air and water for Americans and his complete disrespect for sacred native sites.
"This move not only affects the current pipelines, it also sets a dangerous precedent in which this new administration puts the expansion of energy infrastructure over the beneficial environmental policies set by the Obama administration.
"I strongly support the thousands of Standing Rock Sioux tribe and Native American activists at the Standing Rock water protector camps who have vowed to remain steadfast in their protests to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and secure their only source of clean water, and sacred burial grounds.