Protecting the Planet
Combating climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. Peter is taking on climate change deniers in Congress and fighting for policies that transition America to a clean energy economy.
- Enact a carbon tax or cap and trade system to cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Establish an aggressive renewable energy and energy efficiency standard
- Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy to create jobs, lower energy bills, and cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Overturn the destructive rollback of landmark environmental laws, regulations, and climate change initiatives
More on Protecting the Planet
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced companion bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by mitigating harmful environmental impacts of the corn ethanol mandate and advancing the next generation of biofuels that actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The GREENER Fuels Act (Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act) would:
WASHINGTON - Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Peter Welch (D-VT) today introduced the Building Efficiently Act of 2019, a bill to encourage property developers to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings they work on. The bill would extend residential construction tax credits that expired in 2017 and expand them to rental properties.
WASHINGTON – This afternoon, Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.) introduced legislation identical to the bipartisan energy efficiency bill introduced in the Senate last week by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
"Energy efficiency is a practical, non-partisan idea that saves money, puts people to work, creates demand for American-made products, and improves the environment," said Rep. Welch. "This bill is a common sense idea whose time has come."
(WEDNESDAY, July 24, 2019) – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) Wednesday announced that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will receive a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to purchase electric buses and charging stations to be used in Vermont’s Upper Valley. They had written last year to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the grant.
WASHINGTON – Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has introduced legislation that would provide federal funding to revitalize forests being destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer and help stem future infestations of invasive pests.
“The Emerald Ash Borer is devasting to forests which are a central part of our economy, our heritage, and our way of life,” said Welch. “This initiative will fund efforts to revitalize damaged forests and more swiftly stem future infestations of invasive pests in Vermont and across the country.”
Washington, D.C. – Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2019, legislation that encourages the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) and Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESCs) in federal buildings.
Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), joined by Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.), today introduced bipartisan legislation that will create incentives for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements. The Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to take up their bill in the near future.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) today introduced the Electric Cars Act of 2019, bicameral legislation to fully extend the electric vehicle tax credit for 10 years, and help deploy critical alternative fuel charging infrastructure.
Washington, DC – Late yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to help schools become more energy efficient in Vermont and across the country.
Washington, DC – Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) along with Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) has reintroduced in the new Congress legislation to extend the North Country National Scenic Trail from Crowne Point, NY into Addison County, linking it to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail via Vermont’s Long Trail. Both the Senate and the House are expected to approve public lands legislation that incorporates Welch’s bill, clearing the way for President Trump to sign it into law.