Washington, D.C. - On the first day of the 113th Congress, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced several bills aimed at promoting energy efficiency in federal buildings, helping local communities address disease clusters, and reauthorizing the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Senator Boxer said: "As we begin the new Congress, I am pleased to introduce legislation that will make the federal government a leader in energy efficiency and reducing emissions, will help families address potential disease clusters in their communities, and will preserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats. I look forward to working with my colleagues in this new Congress to move these bills through the Senate."

S. 52, Promoting Efficiency and Savings in Government Act

This legislation builds on current efforts to improve energy efficiency and to reduce emissions by requiring the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify additional efficiency improvements in buildings it owns and leases and report to Congress and the public on energy and cost savings.

S. 50, Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act

This bill is designed to help communities determine whether there is a connection between "clusters" of cancer, birth defects and other diseases, and contaminants in the surrounding environment. The bill will:

• Strengthen federal agency coordination and accountability when investigating these potential disease clusters;
• Increase assistance to areas impacted by potential disease clusters; and
• Authorize federal agencies to form partnerships with states and academic institutions to investigate and help address disease clusters.

S. 53, Community Disease Cluster Act

This legislation authorizes technical assistance grants through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Environmental Protection Agency to help people in communities impacted by disease clusters.

S. 51, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2013

S. 51 reauthorizes the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), which was established by Congress in 1984 to preserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats through grants and private investments.

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