In The News
Mar 27, 2014
| E&E News
Top Obama advisers brief House Dems on emissions agenda
President Obama's top two climate advisers yesterday met with Democrats in the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition to discuss his carbon emissions agenda, focusing on a new White House data initiative. John Podesta and Dan Utech, Obama's climate advisers, met with 19 of the coalition's 56 members to share details about the White House-centered elements of the president's government-wide Climate Action Plan, according to a source briefed on the meeting. The sit-down "primarily" looked at the Climate Data Initiative, a project unveiled last week to...
Mar 5, 2014
| POLITICO Pro
Wanted: A new Waxman for Dems’ green caucus
Rep. Henry Waxman’s decision to retire at the end of the year has left greens wondering who will step in as House Democrats’ moral compass on environmental issues. But it might not be just one lawmaker who emerges as the chamber’s loudest voice on climate change and other hot-button topics. The House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition has built a caucus of 56 Democrats who are vowing to carry on Waxman’s legacy. “We’re not just leaving it to a handful of individuals,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the co-chair of the coalition, told POLITICO in a recent interview.
Feb 18, 2014
| Mesabi Daily News
Nolan joins ‘Green’ Coalition
Eighth District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan has joined a “Green” group of lawmakers — the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. The coalition has 56 House members, all Democrats. The coalition has strong views about global warming/climate change that are fully agreed to by the congressman.
Feb 18, 2014
| POLITICO Pro
McCarthy meets with House ‘green dogs’
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy met today with the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and discussed issues like fracking and climate change, Co-Chairman Gerald Connolly said afterward. The group, which Connolly calls the “green dogs” caucus, also talked about regional issues like Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and the California drought. He said about two-thirds of the caucus’s 55 members attended. On fracking, members suggested that given the congressional “antipathy towards any regulation, however rational,” EPA should highlight states’ best practices, Connolly said. He said...
Feb 4, 2014
| E&E News
Waxman's successor as top House climate hawk may need new perch
Outside of the formal committees, a Waxman successor could be found among the members of another bloc, such as the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition... The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition's members include Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.).
Jan 30, 2014
| E&E News
Controversial phrase makes prominent return in Obama speech -- and few are happy
"I think when he uses that phrase, it's presenting us with a menu," said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is co-chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. "There's nothing wrong with that approach -- and it leaves room for us to debate what we pick and choose on that menu."
Dec 17, 2013
| SNL
Democrats push budget committees to extend wind PTC, other clean energy subsidies
Issues: Energy
Dozens of congressional Democrats urged the leaders of the Senate and House budget committees on Dec. 16 to extend or make permanent tax credits promoting wind energy, other renewables and energy efficiency.
Dec 17, 2013
| National Journal
Dems Push to Extend Clean-Energy Tax Credits
Issues: Energy
Leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition wrote to House Ways and Means Committee leadership on Monday calling for an extension of a slate of clean-energy tax credits currently on the chopping block. The move was timed to coincide with the release of a nearly identical letter sent by a coalition of Democratic and independent senators to Senate Finance Committee leadership.
Oct 30, 2013
| National Journal
On Sandy Anniversary, Pols Push for Climate Action
Issues: Climate Change
President Obama didn't mention climate change in his statement on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, but plenty of lawmakers marked the day with a call for action. "The aftermath of this event has brought us to very clear conclusions," said SEEC Co Chair Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. "Climate change should no longer be considered a simple threat, but a very real, clear, and present danger." Features SEEC Vice Chair Rep. Rush Holt (NJ) and Members Henry Waxman (CA), Lois Capps (CA), Matt Cartwright (PA), Susan Davis (CA), and Ed Perlmutter (CO).
Sep 18, 2013
Raul Ruiz to discuss wildfires with House coalition
On the heels of a busy wildfire season, Rep. Raul Ruiz is meeting with Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell on Wednesday to discuss how federal agencies are collaborating on fire prevention efforts. The meeting will be held in conjunction with other members of the House’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), which promotes clean energy technologies and works on policies that address global warming and protect the environment.