Issue Position: Energy and Environment

Issue Position

The natural treasures that make Rhode Island such a special place to call home require steadfast stewardship. David understands the importance of this responsibility and has worked hard in Congress to defend our environment and advance the development of renewable energy technology.

David has been a tireless advocate for key programs in support of land and water conservation and has fought against efforts to undermine commonsense environmental programs like the National Ocean Policy, which helps states better manage vital ocean resources.
David backed legislation signed into law, The Great American Outdoors Act, that would safeguard and provide permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an initiative that uses non-taxpayer dollars to support our parks, waterways, and public lands.
David has championed programs that brought tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that provide low-interest loans for projects that help protect and enhance water quality in Rhode Island.
David led the effort in the House to create the Blackstone Valley National Historic Park, which was formally established in 2014. The National Park, which includes portions of Pawtucket, North Smithfield, and Cumberland, will help preserve and protect a vitally important landscape and its historical and cultural assets for generations to come.

At the same time, David is fighting to address climate change and the undeniable science that tells us carbon pollution is threatening the health of our environment and the public. David knows that to protect Rhode Island's air, water, and other natural resources today and years into the future, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels that pollute and degrade our ecosystem.

David took the lead within the New England Congressional Delegation in the House, authoring and introducing the New England Coastal Protection Act, legislation that prohibits the expansion of oil and gas drilling off the coast of Rhode Island.
David joined as co-lead in introducing the American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act, a law that would impose fees on carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
As a member of House Democratic leadership, Cicilline helped design and deliver on an agenda that responds to the priorities shared by a majority of Americans. As part of this agenda, David and House Democrats passed the Climate Action Now Act, which would help combat the threat climate change poses to Rhode Island and ensures our nation honors its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.
David has supported legislation to extend tax credits for electricity produced by renewable energy ­sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.
Here at home, David has successfully fought for resources to make certain Rhode Island has the tools it needs to better study the effects of severe weather on our coastline and provide effective response and resilience capabilities.

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