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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

Newark, NJ — Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced today that Minjae Park has joined his office to serve as New Jersey Press Secretary. Park, who is based in Booker’s Newark office, joins a communications team that includes Senior Advisor and Communications Director Jeff Giertz and Press Secretary Maya Krishna-Rogers, who are both based in Washington, DC.

“I’m proud to welcome Minjae to my staff,” Booker said. “Minjae shares my deep commitment to public service and helping the people of New Jersey. His skills, experience, and values make him a great addition to my team in Newark.” 

Park was most recently at Audible, where he was strategic advisor to the founder and executive chairman. Before Audible, he was a reporter at The Record (NorthJersey.com). A Newark resident, Park holds a bachelor’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker joins Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representative Mondaire Jones (D-NY) in a congressional delegation visit to Poland, UAE, India, Nepal and Germany over the next eight days. 

The group issued the following joint statement ahead of their visit:

“This strong congressional delegation will have the opportunity to meet with U.S. military leadership and troops in Poland in order to learn how the U.S. can continue to support Ukraine and our NATO allies against Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted war. In addition, the delegation will meet with a number of key foreign leaders in Poland, UAE, India, Nepal and Germany to strengthen ties during this period of heightened global tension.”

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

WATCH: Senator Markey hosts field hearing in Plymouth, Mass. to discuss nuclear safety and security issues and state, local, and community stakeholder engagement

  

 

Boston (May 6, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, today hosted a subcommittee field hearing in Plymouth, Massachusetts with Congressman William R. Keating (MA-09), titled Issues Facing Communities with Decommissioning Nuclear Plants. During the hearing, Senator Markey secured commitments from Holtec, the company charged with decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, that it would not discharge any radioactive, contaminated water into Cape Cod Bay from the plant without the consent of stakeholders. He also secured a commitment from Holtec that it would work with an independent body with marine experience to test the water, that it would provide a financial backstop to ensure full decommission and clean-up of the plant site, and it would meet with union representatives from the Laborers, Ironworkers, Carpenters, IBEW, and Operating Engineers regarding an ongoing labor dispute. 

 

“We will hold Holtec accountable for these commitments to the communities that surround Pilgrim, and we will work to ensure the NRC upholds its responsibility to be a watchdog on the decommissioning process,” said Senator Markey. “Over the years, communities with decommissioning nuclear power plants have repeatedly called on the Commission to be a good partner and for nuclear companies to be good neighbors. Today’s hearing is a notice to both that we will not allow these responsibilities to go unmet any longer.” 

 

“Today’s hearing cemented what we already knew: that the NRC has given too much leeway to licensees. The government is entrusted with the regulation of nuclear energy as well as the environmental impacts that energy has on our communities. It’s clear, however, that the community has been left out of this process; yet they are the ones that will feel the impacts for generations from this plant being here and the ones who are paying for decommissioning. The NRC confirmed today that trucking away the waste is a viable alternative to dumping water in Cape Cod Bay. Frankly, it is not an alternative, but the only proper course of action,” said Congressman Keating.

 

Testifying at the hearing were:

• John W. Lubinski, Director of Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards at Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
• State Senator Susan L. Moran (Plymouth and Barnstable District),
• Seth Schofield, Senior Appellate Counsel at the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts,
• Geoffrey Fettus, Senior Attorney for Nuclear, Climate, and Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and
• Kris Singh, Ph.D., President & CEO, Holtec International.

 

A copy of witness testimonies can be found HERE.

 

Senator Markey and Congressman Keating have worked together to ensure that the NRC and Holtec prioritize safety and public participation throughout Pilgrim’s decommissioning process. This past January, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06), the lawmakers wrote to Holtec Decommissioning International expressing opposition to the proposed discharge of radioactive water from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay.

 

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Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Washington (May 6, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement upon the United States reaching the tragic toll of one million lives lost to COVID-19.

 

“There are no words to fully capture the loss of one million friends, loved ones, partners, family members, and those we did not know to COVID-19,” said Senator Markey. “How do we grieve the uncelebrated anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and other cherished moments that make life the tapestry of shared experience and memories? Tragically, this pandemic is not yet over, not for the United States nor for the globe. We must acknowledge and continue to address the disproportionate impact this pandemic is having on Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, and low-income communities. Our goal must be to confront the reckoning of injustice – racial, economic, educational, health – that this pandemic has made undeniable. And we must treat the lasting effects of long-COVID for those living with it, including with research, disability benefits, and quality health care. For the elderly and immunocompromised, the COVID-19 threat remains a daily specter, and we must center those communities in our response, planning, and messaging to ensure the death toll doesn’t match the rates of the past two years. I will fight to pass legislation that supports those most impacted by this pandemic.”

 

Since the start of the pandemic, Senator Markey has been a leader in calling for legislative action to fight the coronavirus, including on research, data collection and equity, mask mandates, financial relief for small businesses, and federal government oversight. In August 2021, Senators Markey, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced a resolution to memorialize those lost to the COVID–19 virus and recognize the suffering of COVID–19 survivors. This resolution would designate the first Monday in March as “COVID–19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day.”

 

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Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

The ICEE HOT Act would reduce residential building greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security

 

Washington (May 4, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), Chair of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety, today introduced the Installing Clean Efficient Energy Hastens Our Transition (ICEE HOT) Act, comprehensive legislation that would reduce residential building greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security by expanding the State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program with incentives for manufacturers and distributors that produce and distribute American-made building electrification products, like heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and water heating appliances. Currently, seven percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from residential buildings using fossil fuels for space heating, water heating, and space cooling, contributing to the 35 percent of overall residential emissions. This legislation will not only transform the heat pump market, encourage home electrification, and improve grid reliability, but it will also lower equipment costs for consumers. Additionally, this legislation will support the Justice40 initiative by requiring that 40 percent of funds be used to provide rebates to disadvantaged businesses or entities that employ disadvantaged individuals. The bill will also support unionized labor by directing 40 percent of rebate funds to manufacturers and distributors that meet strict labor standards and employ unionized workers. Federal support is paramount to ensuring that our transition to green energy remains affordable to the residents of Massachusetts and across the country.

 

Additional co-sponsors of the ICEE HOT Act include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

 

“American consumers are paying too much for dirty energy that pollutes their communities and undermines the health of their families. It’s time that we power our homes with clean, affordable and reliable American-made energy,” said Senator Markey. “The ICEE HOT Act would transition homes across America away from costly, dirty fossil fuels towards cheaper, cleaner renewable energy. With this legislation, we can put Americans to work manufacturing the clean energy revolution.”

 

“We need to tackle the climate crisis head on. And that’s why I’m glad to introduce this legislation with Senator Markey and my colleagues that helps reduce our reliance of fossil fuels, move towards home electrification, and lower costs for families. Let’s get this done,” said Senator Warren.

 

“For too long, corporate greed has resulted in American consumers paying overly high prices for energy,” said Senator Sanders. “To make matters worse, the pollution from dirty fossil fuels has only worsened the climate crisis. The time is long overdue to transition American homes away from costly fossil fuels towards energy efficiency and affordable, renewable energy. This legislation will reduce energy costs, create jobs as we retrofit our buildings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

“Our nation must transition away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and to strengthen our energy independence, and electrifying our homes is essential to this transition,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will offer businesses much-needed incentives to support more domestic production and distribution of zero emission home appliances like heat pumps and induction stoves, with a targeted investment to disadvantaged businesses. These critical incentives will also help consumers save money by reducing costs on new home heating and cooling equipment and other essential appliances.”

 

“The transition to clean energy is happening, the question is whether our country leads or follows. I want us to lead,” said Senator Smith. “If we do nothing, climate change will be an economic, environmental and public health disaster. The good news is that taking action on climate also presents an enormous economic opportunity. This legislation will incentivize adoption of heat pumps, which will help us use American-made clean electricity that increases our energy independence, lowers energy costs for families, reduces pollution, and protects the planet.”

 

A copy of the legislation can be found HERE. A copy of the one-pager can be found HERE.

 

The ICEE HOT Act would appropriate $10 billion for the issuance of manufacturer and distributor rebates from fiscal year 2023 to 2030. The legislation would offer benefits to stakeholders across the supply chain, including:

• Manufacturer rebates that support original equipment manufacturers
• Distributor incentives that encourage distributors to provide zero emission home heating systems when residents are faced with replacing HVAC and water heating systems
• Rebates available for building electrification products such as residential air source heat pumps, cold climate heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, induction or noninduction electric stoves, and smart panels
• Cost benefits to residents and homeowners

 

The ICEE HOT Act is endorsed by Earthjustice, Rocky Mountain Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and Rewiring America.

 

“Outdated furnaces powered by oil, propane, and gas pollute our homes, contaminate our air, and disproportionately harm underrepresented communities,” said Earthjustice Associate Legislative Representative Jake Kornack. “Heat pumps are a gamechanger and provide a more affordable and cleaner alternative to heat and cool our homes. We thank Senator Markey for putting forward this innovative solution to make heat pumps more affordable for American families that will result in lower energy bills for consumers while paving the way for a clean energy future.”

 

“Providing incentives to increase the manufacturing of efficient electric appliances – like heat pumps and induction cooktops – will make homes healthier for American families, create good paying jobs, and boost our economic and energy security. These clean energy technologies will not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas, they will provide a myriad of health and environmental benefits to make our communities more resilient into the future,” said Rocky Mountain Institute Federal Policy Manager Alisa Petersen.

 

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Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Washington (May 3, 2022) – Today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) released the following statement regarding recent developments in the case against Philippines Senator Leila de Lima. 

 

“The recent recanting by key witnesses of allegations made against Senator Leila De Lima warrant her immediate release,” said the Senators. “Clearly, the bogus charges against her were, as we suspected all along, politically-motivated and based on false information. That she has lost five years in jail due to these spurious charges is a travesty. She should be released immediately and any remaining charges should be dropped without further delay.” 

 

In 2020, Senators Markey, Rubio, Durbin, Blackburn, and Coons led the successful passage of a resolution condemning the ongoing human rights abuses in the Philippines. Due to their advocacy on behalf of Senator De Lima and other human rights activists in the country, Senators Markey, Durbin, and Leahy have been banned by the Duterte government from entering the Philippines. In 2019, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an amendment barring Philippine officials from the United States who were involved in the jailing of Senator De Lima. 

 

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Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Washington (May 2, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after reports that the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the right to abortion.

 

“Tonight, the American people got a sneak preview of what a stolen, illegitimate, and far-right Supreme Court majority appears poised to do: destroy the right to abortion. This decision would undermine the health, safety, and freedom of millions of Americans, and it will be made at the hands of justices who Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Senate Republicans foisted on the bench into stolen seats. 

 

Conservatives on the court swore to respect the doctrine of stare decisis, a promise they now appear to be violating. This egregious and overtly political act by these justices cannot go unanswered. 

 

There is no other recourse. We must abolish the filibuster in order to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, and we must expand the Supreme Court in order to reclaim the stolen seats, and restore balance and the faith of the American people. Tonight, I ask my colleagues in the Senate what other judicial outrage must we endure from the illegitimate majority on the Court before we act.”

 

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Source: United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona)

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

WASHINGTON – The bipartisan energy package passed by Congress includes Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s energy priorities that create jobs and grow Arizona’s economy. Sinema secured her bipartisan Solar Energy Research and Development Act, Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act, and her Integrated Energy Systems Act in the bipartisan package.
 
“This important energy package includes our bills to expand job opportunities for Arizona. The bill’s passage boosts Arizona’s solar development and helps secure Arizona’s energy future,” said Sinema. 
 
Sinema’s Solar Energy Research and Development Act, included in the energy package, renews and modernizes the Solar Energy Technology Program, increasing resources to Arizona’s government, universities, and companies to help develop solar technology. The package improves Arizona’s competitiveness in solar manufacturing and deployment. Arizona ranks third in the nation in solar energy production, and is expected to add another 2,769 million watts of solar energy over the next five years.
 
Sinema’s Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas Act (LEADING ACT), included in the package, incentivizes research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas to ensure a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy supply. The LEADING Act promotes the continued use of natural gas to keep energy bills low, maintain Arizona’s energy security, and protect the environment.
 
Sinema’s bipartisan Integrated Energy Systems Act, establishes a research and development program at the U.S. Department of Energy to analyze energy systems integration, including emission-reducing energy resources and nuclear hybrid energy systems.
 

Source: United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona)

Sinema secured Arizona priorities in the Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema secured a number of Arizona priorities in the Water Resources Development Act, which passed Congress with bipartisan support and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
 
“Arizona’s future depends on protecting and strengthening our water security. Working across the aisle and with local Arizona stakeholders, I’m proud to have secured critical priorities in this legislation that will fuel jobs, restore our waterways, address drought conditions, and expand opportunity across our state,” said Sinema.  
 
Sinema secured the following priorities for Arizona in the Water Resources Development Act:
 
Flood Mitigation along Tonto Creek: Following Kyrsten’s urging in February, the bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study for flood risk management in Tonto Creek, AZ. This is the first step to securing Army Corps funding to help either construct a Tonto Creek bridge, or take other steps to mitigate the flooding risk along Tonto Creek. 
 
Rio de Flag Completion: Earlier this year, Kyrsten secured funding for the Rio de Flag project, and the Water Resources Development Act further supports the project by directing Army Corps to expedite the completion of the project.
 
Removal of Salt Cedars to Improve Arizona’s Water Supply: For decades, invasive salt cedar trees have depleted Arizona’s precious water resources, crowded out native plants, increased flood risks, and created a greater fire risk for Arizona communities, especially in Buckeye and other communities along the Gila River. The bill authorizes the US Fish and Wildlife Service to spend up to $10 million each year to remove and replace invasive plant species, prioritizing salt cedars, in riparian areas in the Lower Colorado River Basin. This language is inspired by Kyrsten’s DRIP Act, which authorizes a similar $10 million pilot program.
 
Construction of the Little Colorado River Levee Project: Following Kyrsten’s urging, the bill authorizes the Army Corps to begin construction on the Winslow Levee project outside the City of Winslow in Navajo County. Congressional authorization is needed before work can begin on this project. This project will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in Winslow, and protect the BNSF Southern Transcon rail line (which is one of the busiest rail lines in the country).
 
Completion of Flood Control Study for Lower Santa Cruz River: Following Kyrsten’s urging, the bill directs the Army Corps to expedite the completion of its flood control study for the Lower Santa Cruz river basin in Pinal County. This river basin currently has no flood control system in place, leaving the City of Maricopa, the Gila River Indian Community, and the surrounding farmland at risk of severe flooding. Army Corps is currently working with stakeholders to finalize a flood control plan, and the bill encourages Army Corps to move expeditiously to finalize its flood control plan.  
 
Water control Manual Update for Roosevelt Dam: Sinema secured language allowing SRP to pay the Army Corps to improve the manual for Roosevelt Dam and save more water for cities in the Phoenix area.
 
Rural Water Projects: Sinema secured inclusion of Arizona and $150 million annually for Arizona in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program for rural water projects.
 
Sinema has long worked to advance commonsense solutions to secure Arizona’s water future. Last year, Sinema introduced the DRIP Act, which equips communities in Arizona, and across the country, to address drought conditions and strengthen water supplies. Additionally, Sinema helped get the Drought Contingency Plan across the finish line in the Senate. Sinema also cosponsored the bipartisan Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Infrastructure Act, which allows Arizona cities, tribes, and water providers access to critical funding to secure the state’s water future.

Source: United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona)

WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema secured a provision in the Congressionally-approved bipartisan Water Resources Development Act that authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to begin construction on the Winslow Levee Project to reduce the risk of flooding in Winslow.
 
“Working across the aisle and with local Arizona stakeholders, we secured approval so the Army Corps can begin construction on the Winslow Levee to keep Arizonans safe from floods,” said Sinema.
 
Following Kyrsten’s urging, the Water Resources Development Act authorizes the Army Corps to begin construction on the Winslow Levee project outside the City of Winslow in Navajo County. This project will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in Winslow, and protect the BNSF Southern Transcon rail line–one of the busiest rail lines in the country.