Bob Filner for Congress | News

Washington, DC - Congressman Bob Filner today celebrated Earth Day and pledged to continue his work in Congress to protect the environment, fight global warming and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people.

“We have a solemn responsibility to protect our planet and to ensure that we all have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink,” said Filner. “Democrats have taken key steps forward, but much more work remains. I will continue to fight to end global warming and protect our environment for future generations.”

Democrats have already taken several major steps forward by passing landmark legislation that addresses the global warming crisis while creating new green collar jobs, cutting energy costs and helping end our dependence on foreign oil.

The historic and bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has been signed into law and will increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards and help save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the gas pump. New building, appliance and lighting efficiency standards included in the new law will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the new law will help save 5.3 billion metric tons in energy-related CO2 emissions from 2008-2030 and cut the growth in energy-related emissions of CO2 by 10 percent.

Democrats are also working to enact new legislation that will promote investments in renewable energy, create hundreds of thousands of good-paying green collar American jobs, and end multi-billion dollar subsidies to big oil companies. The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 would end unnecessary subsidies to Big Oil companies and invest in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The bill extends and expands tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. The solar investment tax credit in this legislation alone will reduce carbon emissions by 240 million tons, or the equivalent of taking 52 million passengers cars off the road for one year.

While the House has passed this legislation, Republicans and President Bush oppose the Democratic effort to end subsidies for oil companies that are earning record profits.

“Oil prices are skyrocketing and our dependence on foreign oil threatens our environment and our national security,” added Filner. “It is time to abandon the failed energy policies of the past and invest in the future.”

Congressman Filner has long supported environmental safety and health. He has introduced H.R. 3366; the Military Environmental Responsibility Act, which would require the Department of Defense and all other defense-related agencies to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws, including laws that protect public health and worker safety. Communities bordering military bases have less environmental protection than other cities in the nation just because they are hosts to the U.S. military. While these bases may bring economic opportunity or security to the region, it is important to ensure that the benefits do not come at the expense of public health.

Congressman Filner has also joined several Members of Congress, The Defenders of Wildlife, and the Sierra Club in opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s recent waiver of 36 environmental and historic preservation laws to complete the controversial border fence. Congressman Filner filed a notice of intent for an amicus brief to a petition filed by The Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club challenging the constitutionality of the waivers.

The Congressman has also supported Governor Schwarzenegger’s lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requesting that they reverse their decision to deny California’s petition to adopt more stringent greenhouse gas emission laws for cars and light trucks. Congressman Filner will also work with his colleagues to urge EPA Administrator Johnson to reverse the decision.

“Halting global warming and saving our environment will not happen overnight. Every person must make an effort to eliminate his or her carbon footprint and negative impact on the environment,” said Congressman Filner. “We must work together to look for alternative energy sources and to protect our planet and our children.”

April 22, 2008

Congressman Filner Celebrates Earth Day!

Pledges to Protect the Environment and Fight Global Warming

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today celebrated Earth Day and pledged to continue his work in Congress to protect the environment, fight global warming and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people.

While the House has passed this legislation, Republicans and President Bush oppose the Democratic effort to end subsidies for oil companies that are earning record profits.

February 29, 2008

Filner Criticizes EPA Denial of California’s Improved Emission Standards

Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied California’s petition to adopt more stringent greenhouse gas emission laws for cars and light trucks. EPA Administrator Steve Johnson stated that California does not have the "compelling and extraordinary conditions" required for a waiver under the Clean Air Act, because the rest of the nation also suffers from the effects of global warming. However, the EPA has granted California such Clean Air Act waivers in the past.

“This is outrageous and unacceptable!” said Congressman Filner. “The EPA is obligated to protect the public from dangerous air pollutants that jeopardize our health and endanger public welfare, and they are failing to fulfill their duty. Global warming is a very compelling reason to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and we cannot let the Bush Administration play politics with the environment. California has taken the first step and we must address these issues NOW!”

Governor Schwarzenegger has already filed a lawsuit against the EPA to reverse the decision. Congressman Filner supports the lawsuit and will work with his colleagues to urge EPA Administrator Johnson to reverse the decision.

February 28, 2008

Filner Backs Plan To Invest In Renewable Energy, Create New Jobs

Bill Would Slash Handouts for Oil Companies, Protect Our Environment

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today backed landmark legislation that will make significant new investments in renewable energy sources, create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, help end our dependence on foreign oil and slash taxpayer funded subsidies to oil companies. H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, was approved by a vote of 236 to 182.

“With oil prices reaching another record high of $102 per barrel today and families paying $3.15 a gallon for gasoline, the time for action on renewable energy and American energy independence is now. This bill is good for our environment, good for our economy and good for our national security,” said Congressman Filner. “Ending our dependence on foreign oil and using renewable energy to help fight global warming will make our nation stronger. And at a time when our economy is struggling, these investments will help create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. ”

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act makes new investments that will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, increase renewable electricity production, create jobs and protect our environment. The bill extends and expands tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. Additionally, the bill includes solar energy tax credits that could reduce carbon dioxide pollution by 240 million tons.

The new investments in wind, solar, geothermal and fuel cell technology will also create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and help strengthen the American economy. The Geothermal Energy Association estimates that the geothermal provisions alone could create tens of thousands of new jobs and stimulate tens of billions of dollars of new investment in geothermal energy production.

Additionally, the legislation approved today repeals $18 billion in unnecessary tax subsidies for big, multinational oil and gas companies. The vote comes shortly after the big five oil companies recently reported record profits for 2007, with ExxonMobil earning $40.6 billion - the largest corporate profit in American history. While oil companies have profited, consumers have felt the pinch. The average cost of a gallon of gasoline in California is $3.34.

“Every day, families in California are feeling the pain at the gas pump and home heating oil costs are skyrocketing. All the while, big oil companies are making billions of dollars and receiving handouts from the government. It simply isn’t fair,” added Congressman Filner. “I am proud to back legislation that will slash subsidies to oil companies, create jobs and help make our nation energy independent.”

January 28, 2008

Congressman Filner Says Federal Government Should Help Solve Air Pollution Problems!

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that Imperial County failed to attain the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). NAAQS is a standard set to limit the presence of pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment, including carbon monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone and many others. The EPA decision requires the State to submit a plan to EPA, which would bring the County back into compliance.

Congressman Bob Filner provided this statement:

“Our communities should not be penalized for living near international borders. Air pollution does not stop at political boundaries! Imperial County needs federal help to develop and implement bi-national plans to improve air quality.

“I have introduced legislation, H.R. 3365; the Foreign Air Impact Regulation (FAIR AIR) Act, which would stop the EPA from punishing Imperial County and other areas suffering from the impact of foreign pollution until a comprehensive plan is implemented, one that would require both federal and local action!”

December 18, 2007

Filner Backs Landmark Energy Legislation

Bill Will Make Vehicles More Efficient, Cut Energy Costs, and Combat Global Warming

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner today backed the Energy Independence and Security Act, landmark energy legislation that will make America more energy independent, cut energy costs for families, reduce global warming, and grow our economy. The historic legislation was passed by a vote of 314 to 100 and will be sent to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow.

“For too long, Congress has failed to address our energy challenge, and consumers in California have paid the price,” said Congressman Filner. “Today, the New Direction Congress reversed that sad legacy and made key energy reforms a reality.”

The Energy Independence and Security Act will increase vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020—the first congressional increase in 32 years – and slash U.S. oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels per day by 2030. The legislation also expands the use of American-grown biofuels to 36 billion gallons in 2022 increases the efficiency of buildings, homes, appliances, and lighting. All totaled it cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by up to 24 percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help save the planet.

The legislation will also save money for American consumers and strengthen the economy. Increased vehicle fuel efficiency will save American families $700 to $1,000 a year at the pump and the new building, appliance, and lighting efficiency will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the development of biofuels and support for cutting-edge energy research will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

“Families are paying too much on the gas pump and our nation is weakened by our dependence on oil from the Middle East,” said Filner. “Our bill will end our reliance on foreign oil, save money for families and help fight global warming.”

The bill is backed by a broad coalition of individuals and organizations from the environmental, labor, faith and business communities.

December 5, 2007

Filner Hails Passage of Historic Energy Security Legislation

Landmark Package Reduces Global Warming and Dependence on Foreign Oil

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Filner joined a majority in the House to pass a historic and sweeping bill to put us on a path toward energy independence. This measure was approved by a vote of 235 to 181 and will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs, create economic growth and new jobs, and begin to address global warming.

“With the price at the pump skyrocketing to $3.36 per gallon here in California—and even higher in San Diego County, Congress has now taken swift and comprehensive action to build an energy independent future for America.”

“Americans are ready to lead the world on clean alternative energy,” said Congressman Filner. “Americans are ready to declare energy independence from foreign oil—to strengthen our national security, grow our economy, reduce energy costs, and end global warming.”

“For too long, Washington has dragged its feet and denied the problem. It has let oil companies and foreign governments call the shots,” said Congressman Filner. “The 110th Congress is taking America in a new direction. Our energy security plan is about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, relying instead on clean, renewable sources here in the United States, on American ingenuity, and on our entrepreneurial, can-do spirit.”

The cornerstone of the Energy Independence and Security Act increases the fuel efficiency of vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first increase in a generation and is supported by environmentalists, labor groups and the automobile industry (CAFE). This provision will save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump with $22 billion in net annual consumer savings in 2020. Here in California, this provision would create 19,900 jobs and save families $2.53 billion at the pump in 2020.

Lowers consumer energy costs. The bill requires for the first time that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources saving consumers here in California from $1.28 billion to $1.35 billion in 2020. It also will save consumers $440 billion through landmark new energy efficiency standards through 2030 for a wide range of products, appliances, lighting and buildings.

Creates new jobs. The bill will create new jobs, with the investment in renewable energy through tax incentives for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal technologies and cutting-edge energy research, creating good paying jobs in rural communities across the country through a historic commitment to biofuels, training workers for 3 million new “green” jobs over the next 10 years and making small businesses leaders in renewable energy.

Strengthens our national security by reducing oil consumption by more than 4 million barrels a day in 2030, through the CAFE standard and a historic commitment to American-grown biofuels.

The bill overall will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent of what is needed by 2030 to save the planet.

“This bipartisan legislation has earned strong support of leaders in the business, labor, faith and environmental communities across the nation. We hope the President will reconsider his threat to veto this legislation, because all Americans have a stake in our fight for energy independence and lower energy costs,” urged Congressman Filner.

June 15, 2007

Filner Requests Public Meetings in Designating Power Line Corridors

Congressman Bob Filner co-sponsored H.R. 829, mandating that the Department of Energy conduct more public meetings to give state and local communities control over the process of designating corridors for massive transmission power lines. Congressman Filner has also signed on to a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman requesting that the Department extend the comment period by at least 30 days and hold meetings in every congressional district to determine the impact of proposed designations.

"It is vitally important that impacted communities have the ability to be heard." Congressman Filner said. "Given the controversies these transmission corridors bring with them, all concerns must be addressed and that takes time."

H.R. 829 would also prohibit a corridor designation from encompassing lands on which such development is prohibited or limited to protect scenic, natural, cultural, or historic resources.

November 8, 2007

Filner Announces Water Resources Development Act Project Authorizations

Today, the Senate voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act. The House of Representatives voted to override the veto on Wednesday. Congressman Filner is pleased to announce that the following project authorizations, to benefit the 51st Congressional District, were included in the bill.

“We must fix our crumbling national infrastructure, including on our waterways. Enactment of WRDA is the first step! However, there is still more work to be done. We must keep the pressure on President Bush to increase appropriations for the Army Corps to carry out these critical projects!” said Congressman Filner.

Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County, California.--Project for aquatic ecosystem, Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County, California, including efforts to address invasive aquatic plant species.

Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County, California.--$375,000 to improve water quality, and remove non-native aquatic species from the Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County, California.

Imperial County, California.--$10,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure, including a wastewater disinfection facility and polishing system, to improve water quality in the vicinity of Calexico, California, on the southern New River, Imperial County, California.

Brawley Colonia, Imperial County, California.--$1,400,000 for water infrastructure to improve water quality in the Brawley Colonia Water District, Imperial County, California.

New River, California.--$10,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure to improve water quality in the New River, California.

The legislation also includes language authorizing $30 million to carry out pilot projects for the restoration of the Salton Sea.

August 15, 2007

Congressman Filner Introduces Military Environmental Responsibility Act

Congressman Bob Filner recently introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act (H.R. 3366). The bill would waive environmental sovereign immunity for the Department of Defense and force the military to comply with Federal and State environmental laws.

"Communities bordering military bases have less environmental protection than other cities in the nation just because they are hosts to the U.S. military. Until the Department of Defense is forced to comply with our country's environmental laws, public health and safety will be at increased risk from military pollution," Congressman Bob Filner said.

Late last year, the San Diego Naval Base piped more than 14 million gallons of raw sewage into the San Diego Bay. However, the Department of Defense did not have to pay any fines due to sovereign immunity.

June 15, 2007

Filner Requests Public Meetings In Designating Power Line Corridors

H.R. 829 would also prohibit a corridor designation from encompassing lands on which such development is prohibited or limited to protect scenic, natural, cultural, or historic resources.

April 22, 2007

On Earth Day 2007, Congressman Filner Says New Congress is Working to Address Global Warming and Make America More Energy Independent

Today, Earth Day, Congressman Filner called on the Bush Administration to begin working with the new Congress to curb global warming and achieve energy independence.

"On Earth Day, we must rededicate ourselves to addressing global warming and making America more energy independent," stated Congressman Filner.

"Global warming and our addiction to oil may be the greatest challenges of our time, putting at risk our economy, our environment, and our national security," Congressman Filner said. "We owe it to our children and grandchildren to act now."

"No longer can anyone deny the importance of global warming," said Congressman Filner. "Indeed, in February, the world's top climate scientists put out a landmark report that concluded that global warming is 'unequivocal' and that human activity is the main cause. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was agreed to by more than 100 countries and is definitive. Indeed, February 2, 2007, will be remembered as the date when uncertainty was removed as to whether humans had anything to do with climate change on this planet."

"Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has long been acting as if global warming was not an urgent problem, and has been seeking excuses to avoid taking serious action," added Congressman Filner.

Congressman Filner said, "By contrast, the new Democratic-led Congress believes that, by focusing on rapidly expanding the production of clean, alternative energy and reducing our use of oil, our country can both reduce global warming and make America more energy independent."

"The new House of Representatives has already taken some key steps," pointed out Congressman Filner. "For the first time, the House has created a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. This Select Committee will play a key role in informing Congress and the public, developing policy initiatives, and assuring we make real progress over the next two years. In its first 100 hours, the House also passed a bill that repeals $14 billion in subsidies given to Big Oil companies and shifts those resources to investments in clean, alternative energy and energy efficiency. In addition, the House has already passed a budget that places a high priority on tackling global warming and making America more energy independent."

"The House is also launching a 'Green the Capitol' initiative, that will make the Congress a national leader for environmental stewardship and sustainable energy use," added Congressman Filner.

"By June, several House committees will report legislation to make America more energy independent and begin to address global warming," Congressman Filner pointed out. "Our legislative package, ready for July 4th, will be a starting point for a new energy policy for America - an energy policy that will focus on shifting away from imported oil and instead investing in clean, alternative energy sources. This package will call for significant new investments in renewable energy and improved energy efficiency that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping to curb global warming."

"In addition, the House will be considering the Farm Bill, that will include extensive provisions on promoting biofuels," pointed out Congressman Filner. "The House will consider a real plan to energize the nation, calling on American farmers to fuel our energy independence. From corn in the Midwest, to soybeans in North Carolina, to sweet sorghum in Texas, we grow the crops that can be converted into the biofuels that power our cars. It is good for the environment, good for our economy, good for our farmers, and good for our national security."

"Later in the year and in 2008, the new Congress will also be taking additional steps to address global warming and energy independence," Congressman Filner added.

"In the House of Representatives, debate on global warming has been stifled for 12 years; we can't wait any longer," Congressman Filner concluded. "With American ingenuity and a commitment from Congress, we are moving in a new direction to permanently address global warming and make our nation energy independent."