Jeff Merkley

Similarly, approval expanding a fossil fuel pipeline in my state is contrary to the steps that Oregon has taken to build a clean energy future.

The world needs American leadership and to lead we have to have the power of our example.

You know, it is clear that the purchasing power of the strategy has diminished significantly.

I am very pleased to see the proposal for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, or the Green Bank that EPA is starting to implement.

I think if I had a magic wand, I would, you know, throw a couple more billion dollars into these key ecosystems that are threatened.

They need to be put at the top of the list for consideration of being labeled as endangered.

It is really quite stunning to think that in the very modest amount of time since Lewis and Clark came to the region, how many species that they saw have become endangered or extinct.

Adding new emissions through pipeline expansions, like the GTN Xpress, is incompatible with President Biden's pledge, and it would undermine Oregon's efforts for a clean energy future.

I adamantly oppose the Biden administration's approval of fossil fuel projects, one project after another.

Once we lose them there, they are gone. And we know how hard it is to get the phosphorus out of the lake.

And a few years ago, I held a sucker summit.

We need to really reduce the risk of fire and that means directing resources to do forest management.

It is an incredible national parks system, but it only works if we have people staffing it.

Will you commit to making sure that Oregon and other states that don't have their own Green Banks can still have access to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund?

And for the first time, we provided $5 million specifically for FRIMA activities.

The key is that we maintain this agreement, when it comes up for renewal in 2024.

One of the goals was to develop a program that would provide labeling so you have pollinator safe according to certain standards.

It seems like that is at odds with bipartisan support for water infrastructure.

I am still concerned that the EPA is failing to protect frontline communities already overburdened with toxic chemicals and other forms of pollution when it comes to that process.

I want to turn to the Western Oregon operating plan (WOOP), as it is referred to, and this is a plan that coordinates the approach to wildfire response.

This is kind of a last ditch five alarm fire

Do you like that term, tribal sovereignty fees?

The funding was provided for this effort in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Your position as the first Native American Cabinet Secretary is historic.

The Tribal Law and Order Act report shows an unmet need of $3.5 billion for public safety.