Energy and Environment

Energy

California has long been a leader in the fight against climate change and developing renewable sources of energy is an indispensable tool in our fight. Thanks to innovations in our energy sector, the United States is now a leader in energy production and no longer dependent on foreign energy sources. Maintaining our energy independence is an economic, environmental, and national security priority and I strongly support a clean energy strategy. 

By investing in new energy and modernizing existing sources, we can create jobs, strengthen our national security, spur innovation, and fight climate change. Securing America’s energy future should be a bipartisan effort and it is vital our federal policies send the message that clean energy benefits everyone.

Environment

Pollution disproportionately hurts minority communities, especially here in Los Angeles County. That is why I am a strong supporter of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. As a lawmaker, environmentalist, and most importantly, as a mother, I believe we cannot continue environmental policies that disproportionately hurt minority communities.

The Clean Power Plan is especially important for communities of color who suffer disproportionately from the health impacts of air pollution, including the alarming fact that Latino children are 40 percent more likely to die from asthma than non-Latino white children. In my largely Latino district, my constituents bear the brunt of our nation’s environmental burdens. Thirty-one percent of Latinos live within 30 miles of a power plant. Equally alarming is the fact that Latinos are also one hundred and sixty-five percent more likely to live in counties with unhealthy levels of particulate matter pollution.

This is an urgent issue. We can no longer afford to wait to act on climate change. We must implement policies to protect our environment and our communities for generations to come.