Green: Trump Administration is Making Environmental Progress While Growing Economy

WASHINGTON – Subcommittee on the Environment Ranking Member Mark Green (R-Tenn.) opened today’s hearing on the examination of the Trump administration’s progress in protecting and sustaining our environment by highlighting that the U.S. is leading the world in reducing carbon emissions, clean air and water initiatives have skyrocketed under President Trump, and corporations continue to be held accountable for environmental crimes.

In his opening statement, Subcommittee Ranking Member Green notes that as we continue to make strides toward a cleaner and more sustainable future and grow our economy, we can’t get lost in ‘doomsday’ headlines and fear tactics prompted by Democrats and the mainstream media. He stressed the importance on moving forward with bipartisan environmental policies and away from unrealistic proposals such as the Green New Deal, which would wipe out 5.2 million jobs and cause economic strain on American families.

Below are his remarks as prepared:

Thank you, Chairman Rouda. And thank you to the witnesses for their willingness to appear before the Committee to discuss the path forward to a sustainable future.

I would like to begin by discussing the amazing progress that the United States has made on sustainability. We are leading the world in reducing emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, “The U.S. saw the largest decline in energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019 on a country basis.”  Because these reductions have come via innovation and market forces, energy costs have decreased nationwide.

Over the summer EPA released its annual air quality report. From 2017 to 2019, under the leadership of President Trump, criteria air pollution emissions have dropped seven percent.

Due to these falling emissions the U.S. saw a substantial improvement in air quality. The number of days listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Air Quality Index dropped by 34 percent from 2017-2019.

The Trump EPA has made large strides in many areas when it comes to environmental protection. According to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, “EPA has delisted 27 superfund sites, the most in a single year since 2001, and plans to delist 27 more this year. EPA has also helped finance more than $40 billion dollars in clean water infrastructure, supporting 7,100 high priority projects and 27,000 jobs during President Trump’s first term.”

Although it is not widely reported by the media, the Trump EPA is continuing to hold corporations accountable for environmental crimes. Earlier in September EPA reached a settlement with Daimler AG for $1.5 billion dollars over a Mercedes-Benz emissions cheating scandal.

These statistics are truly amazing. The Trump administration is making substantial progress to protect the environment while simultaneously growing the economy, and I know firsthand that Americans across the country are also taking the initiative to protect the environment.

Earlier this year, I had the idea to plant trees in Tennessee’s interchanges, which not only would reduce CO2, but also would beautify our state. Because of House Ethics rules, I couldn’t really be involved with it. So I shared my idea with friends back home who are going to be planting trees at interchanges across Tennessee.

Unfortunately, instead of recognizing the great work of the Administration and the American people, my colleagues on the left are resorting to fear tactics to scare people into action regarding climate change. This is not healthy or productive, and the mental health impacts regarding the fear of climate change are growing at a staggering rate. A survey of 30,000 people worldwide found that nearly all the people surveyed believed climate change would make humanity extinct.

I hope that our Committee can move past doomsday scenarios and headlines and focus on the energy policy steps we should be taking, and what their costs and impacts are. After multiple hearings on climate change this year, I am encouraged that we will be hearing from Majority witnesses who will hopefully describe a sensible path forward to safeguard American’s health, unlike unrealistic pipe dreams such as the Green New Deal.

According to a study performed by the Minority Witness, one part of the Green New Deal would cost an average family $165,000 and wipe out 5.2 million jobs with negligible climate benefit.

I fear that a premature move away from fossil fuels, particularly for poorer areas, means that they will continue to have little access to the type of cheap, reliable energy that enables economic growth and allows for the provision of clean water and sanitation, widespread vaccination and preventative child health services.

I know that for my constituents in Tennessee, clean air and clean water are vital to their livelihoods and wellbeing. As is the importance of a robust economy.

The United States is fortunate to be have copious clean energy natural resources. We must use those resources to advance American interests while continuing to lead the world in emissions reductions.

Inexpensive, accessible energy has led to technological, medical, and other advances that have driven the American economy and increased U.S. life expectancy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to today’s witnesses.

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