Congresswoman Johnson Supports EPA's Efforts To Cut Methane Emissions

"The EPA recently proposed to reduce methane emissions from one of its largest sources -- the oil and gas industry. Methane is more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its greenhouse gas effects and as such, cutting methane emissions is critical to addressing climate change. This proposal is one piece of the broader effort we need to ensure our children and grandchildren have a healthy environment and vibrant future in the face of climate change.  

As a Texan, I know both the importance and the impact of oil and natural gas development in this country.  Our economy has relied on fossil fuels to power our manufacturing base, our transportation and agricultural sectors, and more.  And, for the foreseeable future, the country will continue to develop these resources and technologies to achieve our energy, economic, national security, and, in some cases, our environmental objectives. However, we must acknowledge that the development of any fossil fuel resource can have significant negative environmental impacts. Those impacts affect the very oceans we fish, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.  These too have real economic value that needs to be protected.  While few people get rich from clean air and water, as a former nurse I know that everyone benefits from a healthier environment.   

Some will say that EPA regulations are killing the economy and jobs, and that this proposal won’t make any real difference in addressing climate change, and that industry and the state of Texas do not need the federal government to tell them how to protect public health and the environment.  As much as some might wish for a world where big environmental issues are addressed voluntarily by industry or through the workings of the free market, or through individual state regulations, it just does not work that way.  

These methane regulations will not only benefit our public health and environment, but they will be a boon for industry as well. Currently, the oil and gas industry emits enough methane pollution into the air to heat more than 6 million homes each winter. Once implemented, these regulations will curb and prevent this waste, allowing the oil and gas industry to capture and sell more of its own product. 

Tackling methane pollution will also create high-quality jobs in a growing domestic manufacturing and service sector supporting common sense and cost effective methane control technologies. States like my home state of Texas, which has the highest concentration of facilities in the country, stand to benefit from future growth associated with this industry. 

As the ranking member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology I have heard from countless experts about the risks associated with climate change. Record temperatures, an increase in heavy rain events, and rising seas are a few examples of what Americans are confronting now and can expect to see more frequently in the coming years. The scientific evidence shows we cannot afford to wait, but must act now if we are to stand a chance of lessening the impacts of climate change.  

Leaders in the faith community have also been calling on us to address climate change. In his recent encyclical, Pope Francis noted that climate change “represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity” and that the poor will be disproportionately affected by its impacts. Pope Francis also stated that “there is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced.” 

We need to listen to our scientists, to our religious leaders, and to the American people by supporting broad-based national policies that will cut greenhouse gas emissions, because acting on climate change is not only an environmental imperative, but both a near-term and long-term public health and economic imperative as well." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Johnson has represented Texas’s 30th Congressional District since 1993. She is ranking member on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, and sits on the Transportation Committee.

SOURCE: THE HILL

Congresswoman Johnson Votes To Avoid Government Shutdown

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson voted to pass a 10-week continuing resolution that will keep the federal government funded until December 11, 2015. This stop-gap measure included funding for Planned Parenthood and was supported by all the Democrats in the House of Representatives. Upon the passage of this resolution, Congresswoman Johnson made the following statement:

“While I am pleased that we avoided a complete shutdown of the federal government that would have cost our economy billions of dollars as it did in 2013, these recurring short-term funding measures are not cause for celebration. My Republican colleagues are bracing to put this country through another unnecessary crisis in December. This is unacceptable. We must have a long-term budget solution that allows for all the government agencies, employees, and contractors to continue to work and be compensated for their dedicated service to the citizens of America. The Republican leadership in Congress must stop jumping from man-made crisis to man-made crisis. We are putting our economy and the wellbeing of this country at unnecessary risk. Enough is enough.”

SOURCE: Focus Daily News

Congresswoman Johnson Remarks On Resignation Of Speaker Boehner

I find little joy in the announced resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives, as a member and as its speaker, of Congressman John Boehner, who for the last five years has been third in line to the presidency.

A decent and honorable individual, Speaker Boehner and I have worked together during our shared tenure in Congress. Over the years we have developed a close, productive working relationship. We worked together to benefit the American people, not simply special-interest groups.

Speaker Boehner announced his departure one day after a joint session of Congress warmly received a message from Pope Francis. During his address, Francis talked about the shallowness of human conflict and outlined the damage that it does to individuals, to families, to nations and to the world.

Those watching Speaker Boehner during the address could see that he followed each word that the pope uttered and was deeply moved by the substance of his argument and the magnanimity of his presence.

He said he was resigning because he had grown increasingly weary of the infighting and bickering in his own party and that he wanted to avoid another period of “prolonged leadership turmoil.” Those in his party who oppose the speaker, many of them relatively new to Washington, have repeatedly challenged his conservatism. His voting record clearly demonstrates that he is a passionate conservative.

Unlike Speaker Boehner and other reasonable members of Congress, his opponents (mostly supported by the tea party) do not understand that good politics has been and shall continue to be the result of prudent political compromise. This is something the speaker understands and has attempted to convey to those who stood in the shadow of his leadership.

In the end, Speaker Boehner decided that it was better to engage in thoughtful reflection and prayer than in constant and divisive political fratricide. Deeply moved by the pope’s request that he stop and pray for the pontiff, Speaker Boehner has chosen a higher road than those who would take great delight in his personal and professional destruction.

I extend my best wishes to Speaker Boehner and his family as he leaves the halls of Congress. The American people owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his service to our country.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News

Congresswoman Johnson's Op-Ed On Clean Power Plan

It is often forgotten that the Clean Air Act was signed into law in 1970 after passing Congress by a strong bipartisan vote. By enacting this landmark legislation, the federal government took a stand for public health and against air pollution, a move that was heralded on both sides of the aisle and applauded by the American people because it put the public’s interests first. In the decades that followed, we saw substantial economic growth while enjoying a cleaner environment. The fight to protect our environment didn’t end in 1970 though. President Obama is continuing this effort with the Clean Power Plan, which aims to transform the way we produce energy. Unfortunately, just as has been the case with the Clean Air Act, the Clean Power Plan is not short on detractors.

The same cast of characters that cried foul and predicted the end of American competitiveness in 1970 is making the same exaggerated cries today about the Clean Power Plan. This posturing is both shortsighted and ill-founded.

I hear from some of my Republican colleagues that if the United States cuts its carbon emissions, it will have no impact on the global temperature or sea level rise. Yet, that is not the reality. Any effort to reduce emissions will have an impact, and through our leadership we can challenge other nations to do the same. As we heard from Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has accepted this challenge and is introducing a cap-and-trade program that will undoubtedly spur innovation and economic growth from one of our key competitors. The world’s top carbon emitter is now stepping up along with many others around the world. We are not alone. Rather, we are leading the effort to solve the greatest environmental challenge of this generation.

I am proud of the work the Environmental Protection Agency is doing. The agency’s top priority is to protect the health of the public and the planet, and I commend them for staying true to their mission in the face of unfounded and hyperbolic criticism.

So what are the facts? The Clean Power Plan is projected to save American families nearly $85 on their annual energy bill in 2030. It will grow the solar and wind energy industries and make major advancements in energy efficiency across our economy. A notable co-benefit of the Clean Power Plan comes in the form of lives saved. A cleaner energy sector will reduce premature deaths due to power plant emissions by 90 percent in 2030. In addition, fewer asthma attacks in children, fewer missed school days and fewer sick days at work will ultimately lead to a more productive workforce and population.

Scientists have made it abundantly clear to lawmakers and industry leaders alike that climate change is here and we must work together to deal with it. Without transforming our energy sources or reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we will not be able to address the looming challenge of climate change. The issue of addressing climate change should not be relegated to partisan bickering on the campaign trail or be restricted to academic discussions. This will affect us all, and we all should be concerned.

Leaders in the faith community have also been calling on us to address climate change. When Pope Francis spoke before a joint session of Congress last week, he called for “a courageous and responsible effort to redirect our steps and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity.” He went on to state, “I am convinced that we can make a difference, and I have no doubt that the United States — and this Congress — have an important role to play.”

The Clean Power Plan is one piece of the broader effort we need to undertake to ensure a healthy environment and vibrant future for our children and grandchildren. We need to listen to our scientists, to our religious leaders and the American people and support broad-based national policies that will cut carbon pollution, because acting on climate change is not only an environmental imperative, but a public health and economic one as well.

SOURCE: The Hill