Testifying last week before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy told lawmakers that drinking water and wastewater infrastructure issues are “of primary importance” to the agency as it promotes adaptation to climate change.
Administrator McCarthy appeared before the panel during a hearing called to review President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which was released last summer. Her written testimony explained the plan’s three overarching goals (reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for climate change impacts and promoting international cooperation) and cited “protecting our water utilities” as a core component of EPA’s efforts to build resilience to climate change.
Administrator McCarthy’s comments on the importance of water and wastewater infrastructure adaptation came in response to Sen. Ben Cardin’s (D-Md.) question on what EPA is currently doing to help communities adapt. McCarthy went on to say promoting the use of green infrastructure is one way the agency is working to meet this objective.
Also last week, Sen. Boxer unveiled a new “Senate Climate Action Task Force” she said will work to “wake up Congress” about the need to act to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Members of the task force – all Democrats and Democratically aligned Independents – will initially work to counter Republican opposition to limiting CO2 emissions and eventually may coalesce behind specific climate legislation.