Environment

We have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.  I am opposed to weakening sensible safeguards and enforcement efforts that ensure clean air and safe drinking water.   I oppose opening pristine public lands and national parks to oil and gas exploration and harmful logging that devastates our forests.

I oppose efforts to roll back the Clean Air and Clean Water Act.  I support efforts to expand protected wilderness areas, combat global warming, restore creeks and wetlands in the San Francisco Bay estuary, and clean up toxic waste in our communities.  I am continuing my efforts to ban oil drilling off the California Coast and in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.

2007-12-13: Stark joins with colleagues in condemning Japanese whaling policies.

2007-06-27: Statement of Congressman Pete Stark Supporting Interior and Environmental Funding
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of strengthening environmental protections, preserving public lands, and confronting global warming.

2007-04-26: Statement by Congressman Pete Stark Introducing the Save Our Climate Act
Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a simple solution to the global warming problem, a carbon tax.

2007-03-16: Letter Requesting Funding For The Land and Water Conservation Fund
A letter to the Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations supporting funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which funds local outdoor recreation projects.

2007-01-18: Statement by Congressman Pete Stark Supporting Clean Energy
Eliminating tax subsidies will increase revenues, but we must spend those revenues wisely in our quest for clean renewable energy sources. We must focus our efforts on promoting advancements in wind, hydrogen, solar and thermal power.

2006-06-07: Statement of Congressman Pete Stark in Opposition to an Unnecessary Attack on Environmental Regulations
Oil companies admit that environmental regulations have not prevented them from building new refineries. This legislation is just another ill-conceived talking point for Republicans desperate to appear responsive to rising energy prices.

2006-05-25: Statement of Representative Pete Stark
In Opposition to Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Mr. Speaker, even President Bush admits that this country's addiction to oil is a crisis, but, like a desperate junkie, the Republican Congress is frantically trying one more time to squeeze every last drop out of our pristine wilderness.

2006-05-18: Statement of Congressman Pete Stark On HR 5386, Interior Appropriations for FY 2007
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Interior Appropriations bill. Given their commitment to “conservative values,” I would think that Republicans would be more committed to actual conservation. Instead, this bill shortchanges our environment, attacks our natural heritage, and recklessly endangers public health.

2006-05-17: Statement of Congressman Pete Stark On H.R. 4200, A Disastrous Republican Environmental Bill
I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act. Rather than aid in a speedy recovery after a natural disaster, this bill is itself a disaster for the environment.

09/26/2006 Letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson
Letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnsonrequesting that a waiver be granted to California so that improved emissions standards and technologies can be implemented to combat global warming.



7/31/06: A letter to Fabian Nunez, the speaker of the California State Legislature, in support of AB 32.
AB 32 is pending legislation in California that would provide for caps and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.



5/17/2006: Statement of Congressman Pete Stark On H.R. 4200, A Disastrous Republican Environmental Bill
I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act. Rather than aid in a speedy recovery after a natural disaster, this bill is itself a disaster for the environment.



4/6/06: A letter to the Interior and Environment Subcommittee (pdf):
A letter calling for a continued moratorium on new offshore drilling



3/16/06 — A letter to the Energy and Water Subcommittee (pdf):
A letter calling for increased federal funding to strengthen levees in
California.



1/17/06 — Letter to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns (pdf):
Letter to Secretary of Agriculture urging the Department to cease using funds to pay for federally mandated inspection of horses prior to slaughter.



12/16/05 — Letter to California Secretary for Resources (pdf):
Letter to California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman urging continued restoration of the former Navy Communications Facility at Skaggs Island.



11/21/05 — Letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton (pdf):
Letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton urging the inclusion of $3 million in the 2006 Budget to begin restoration at Bair Island.



10/07/05: Stark Objects to Republican Energy Bill That Does Nothing to Lower Gas Prices; Hurts Environment
WASHINGTON – Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released specific state-by-state information on the Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans that will participate in the new Medicare Part D drug program...read more



9/30/05 — Letter to Resources Chairman Pombo (pdf):
Letter to House Committee on Resources Chairman Richard Pombo objecting to a proposal to sell fifteen of the country's national parks to private developers.



9/29/05: Stark Objects to Weakening of the Endangered Species Act
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) voted against H.R 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act, because it is nothing more than an assault on our environment. ...read more



9/21/05 — Letter to House Committee on Resources (pdf):
Letter to Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall urging protection of the Endangered Species Act.



7/28/05 -- Stark Statement On H.R. 6 Conference Report
I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 conference report. If U.S. energy policy were the Titanic, Republicans would give a tax credit for bailing water rather than changing navigation techniques to avoid a future crisis. 



7/28/05: Stark Votes Against 'Shameful' Energy Bill
Today, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) voted against the Energy Policy Act of 2005 conference report...read more



5/20/05 -- Stark Statement on H.R. 2361, the Interior Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2005
I rise today in opposition to HR 2361. This legislation is irresponsible. It under funds programs to preserve open space. It endangers public health. And, it abdicates our responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.



4/28/05: Stark Opposes Bush Plan to Convert Closed Military Bases to Refineries
Former Alameda Naval Air Station Could Be Affected by President's Plan



4/20/05 -- Energy -- On H.R. 6, The Energy Policy Act of 2005
"I rise in opposition to this bill. This bill was written by and for the oil and gas industry with the involvement of a small band of powerful members of Congress.  Its very existence raising questions of ethical behavior, but as we know, our Ethics Committee is unable to meet to consider such transgressions because of delays by my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle which delay Ethics Committee actions against one of their own."



2/8/05 — Letter to House Budget Committee – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (pdf):
Letter signed by Rep. Stark to Budget Committee Chairman expressing opposition to any language in the 2006 Budget Resolution that assumes revenue from oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or reconciliation instructions that would facilitate opening the Arctic Refuge


More on the Environment: 108th Congress