Washington, DC -- Today Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) rolled out the framework for a “Green New Deal”. The resolution calls for a rapid transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy, universal access to clean water, addressing the disproportionate impacts faced by low-income communities and communities of color, increased supports for full employment, access to healthcare and more.
Clean Water Action President and CEO, Bob Wendelgass, released the following statement.
“This type of bold thinking from Congress is what we have been missing, and exactly what Americans voted for in November. This is a good start. We’re glad that Representatives and Senators aren’t wasting any time -- we’ve already lost so much thanks to inaction by previous Congresses, President Trump’s climate denialism, and the current Administration’s rollbacks.
Climate change is water change. The longer we take to act, the greater the harm to sources of drinking water and the infrastructure that delivers the water to us. Our families are counting on our elected officials to finally listen to the American people and act on climate.
Clean Water Action fully supports the momentum to address racial and economic inequality, create millions of jobs, and tackle the climate crisis head-on via the framework of the Green New Deal. These issues are interwoven and we look forward to contributing to the mass mobilization and policy discussions going forward. Today is a good day.”
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Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. We will protect clean water in the face of attacks from a polluter friendly Administration and Congress.