VIDEO RECAP: Pingree Holds First Hearing as Interior Approps Chair, Focuses on Solutions for Reducing Marine Plastics Pollution

Press Release

In her first hearing since taking the gavel as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today questioned three expert witnesses about best practices to reduce the global problem of marine plastic pollution. A video of today's full Subcommittee hearing is available for viewing here.

"Coming from Maine, as you can imagine, the ocean is critical to our culture and to our economy, and I personally have a longstanding interest in addressing waste challenges and improving sustainability," said Pingree in her opening statement. "The marine plastic pollution problem is global in scope. It becomes worse each year and becomes increasingly devastating in its consequences. Addressing it will require coordinated response from governments, the private sector, and nongovernment stakeholders. There are enormous economic opportunities and environmental benefits to moving towards a circular economy, but it will take a sustained commitment of the effort and resources we have to get there."

Three witnesses provided testimony today at the hearing:

Winnie Lau, Senior Manager, Preventing Ocean Plastics, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Ginger Spencer, Public Works Director, City of Phoenix, Arizona
Nicole Collier, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, Nestlé USA
Video of Chair Pingree's opening statement is available for viewing or download here. A video of Chair Pingree's questions to Ms. Lau and Ms. Spencer are available for viewing or download here. A video of Chair Pingree's question to Ms. Collier is available for viewing or download here.

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