Energy and Environment
As a PhD scientist, I utilize my expertise to make thoughtful policy decisions on issues related to the energy and environment. We know that climate change is real and largely man-made. While some politicians claim it’s a hoax, most experts believe we will begin to see very significant economic, political, and social consequences from climate change if we do not act now. I support sound economic policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment for the next generation.
Thanks to decades of federally funded research, we have made great progress towards energy independence. The growth and development of our modern economy during the last century raised our standard of living, but has also led to new challenges and environmental threats. It is our responsibility to develop a comprehensive response to address our dependence on fossil fuels, promote sustainable energy use, and invest in new energy technologies. Research at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois leads the way in the kind of innovation we need to make energy more efficient. These projects will help make batteries (including the ones we use in hybrid cars) more cost effective and more powerful.
My Work on Energy and Environment
The sweeping spending bill passed by Congress this month includes nearly $370 billion for energy and climate reform, making it the largest federal clean energy investment in the nation's history. Local environmental advocates and representatives say Illinois is uniquely positioned to take advantage of it.
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act:
“Today, I was proud to vote to send the Inflation Reduction Act to President Biden’s desk. This historic legislation will cut costs for Illinois families, tackle the climate crisis, and reduce drug costs. And, since it is fully paid for by ensuring large corporations pay a minimum tax rate and cracking down on tax cheats, it will reduce our nation’s debt.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law:
“The CHIPS and Science Act is a historic triumph for American science and technological competitiveness, and I’m proud of the bipartisan work we did in Congress to get it to President Biden’s desk,” Foster said. “This law will boost domestic supply chains to lower costs for families and make critical investments to ensure our country leads the way in technological development for generations to come.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CHIPS and Science Act:
Washington, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Chairman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Ranking Member Jay Obernolte (R-CA) of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. The bipartisan Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2022 would bolster the Department of Energy’s accountability to Congress and the public when awarding funding grants.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and local congressmen visited Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont Monday to mark the completion of a new facility that will allow a closer look at clean energy sources such as electric vehicle batteries and nuclear energy materials.
"I'm so honored to be here and honored to be here representing an administration that very much believes in science," Granholm said during her visit.
Building a robot that can throw Frisbees into a bin is one thing, but that was not what impressed U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm the most.
“You are looking outside just building the robot,” Granholm said to the high school-age students, part of a robot-building team at the APS Academy in downtown Aurora.
The students had just told her that in addition to their robot, they were designing an app to help people find places to recycle batteries. It even included incentives to get people to recycle alkaline batteries, and get lifetime lithium batteries instead.
WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm hits the Chicago area Monday with stops at Argonne National Laboratory and Hyzon Motors, which makes zero-emission vehicles, to highlight the Biden administration’s initiatives to combat climate change and spur development of clean energy.
Granholm, a former Michigan governor, made her first visit as energy secretary to the Chicago area in December, where, among other stops, she toured Fermilab in Batavia, the national particle physics and accelerator laboratory.
Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) has spent more than a decade in Congress and is the only current lawmaker to hold a PhD in physics. “One of the reasons I feel occasionally useful in Congress is actually having some background in business and technology, I have some idea of where the puck is going,’’ says the 66-year-old lawmaker representing the state’s 11th congressional district, which includes parts of five counties roughly 30 miles west of Chicago.
Congress is working through numerous recycling-related bills meant to prevent plastic pollution and reduce single-use plastic use. Here are a few of the most recent updates.