Dear John,

We have no time to waste when it comes to addressing the climate crisis. But instead of acting, the Trump administration has spent the last four years actively making things even worse -- from pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord and sabotaging America’s reputation on the international stage, to rolling back critical environmental safeguards and regulations to appease their benefactors in the fossil fuel industry. But luckily, the tides are shifting and progress is just around the corner.

Last month, I was pleased to see that the Biden administration will appoint John Kerry to be the special envoy on climate. This is a newly-created position that President-elect Joe Biden has decided to include in his national security leadership team, an important signal that this administration will take climate chaos seriously. John Kerry has extensive diplomatic experience and the demonstrated ability to work with our allies around the globe -- key assets that will help us rebuild the international coalition we need to slash dangerous pollution and tackle the climate crisis.

I’ve also excited to share that last month, I was able to use my position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to successfully fight for the inclusion of a number of funding provisions in this year’s draft appropriations bills that will support initiatives and programs that are integral to our fight to save our environment. That funding includes a $26 million increase -- for a total of $60 million -- in funding for projects that will help irrigation districts comply with the Endangered Species Act, which will improve habitats for endangered steelhead and the spotted frog. The bill provides $115 million -- a $15 million increase -- for wind energy and $10 million for distributed wind, as well as $233.8 million for solar power programs. I also fought to include $148 million for water power research, which will support ongoing research at Oregon State University.

The next step for the Senate appropriations bills is passage in both houses of Congress -- potentially as soon as next week as part of a package to avert a government shutdown. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the bill’s progress, and will continue to look for opportunities to partner with the incoming administration on climate, and fight to fund conservation and renewable energy projects.

All my best,
Jeff