Preserving Our Natural Environment

Our coastline and natural environment are renowned. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve our unique communities, scenic views and open spaces along the Central Coast. I have worked tirelessly to bring Democrats and Republicans together to ensure our open spaces are conserved for future generations to enjoy. 

I am proud to have served on President Obama’s task force on climate change where we worked to create sustainable climate solutions for states and localities. I led efforts locally to tackle carbon pollution and combat climate change.

In the U.S. House, I have continued my fight to protect our planet by introducing and passing a bill to ban future offshore oil drilling off of California's coast; working to preserve our environment, maintain our waters, create a new marine sanctuary to protect our coastline and sea life, and designate parts of the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as protected wilderness.

I secured funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to not only create more clean energy transportation options in our communities, but also mitigate the effects of the climate crisis and fight the worsening effects of wildfires and drought on our communities.

During the Trump Administratio, I fought back against attempts to roll back climate protections, and now I'm always working on plans to help our coastal communities remain resilient and well-equipped in the face of climate change.

I will continue saying no to new offshore drilling and keep us moving toward cleaner energy solutions that help create new jobs, like we did with solar power facilities in the Cuyama Valley and on the Carrizo Plain, by guiding projects like our first-ever offshore wind project off the coast of Morro Bay.

We must do more to bring wind and biofuel initiatives to market, and encourage more efforts for residents to retrofit their homes so they are more energy-efficient and cost-effective for consumers.