Environment & Energy

The environment — our air, our water, our land — is a sacred trust that we must protect and preserve for ourselves and future generations. Today, our planet is in peril because of climate change, which is already affecting Minnesotans and Americans.

As the Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I am a strong supporter of action on climate change and strongly oppose efforts to undermine our international commitments and turn the United States into an environmental rogue nation. In addition, I support full funding for environmental protections and oppose harmful efforts to weaken our bedrock clean air, clean water, and conservation laws. These are laws that protect the health of our families and our planet.

When it comes to energy, we must make smart decisions today to create green jobs and safeguard our environment. Instead of doubling down on fossil fuels, I support strategic investments in clean energy infrastructure, research, and education.

Read my letter to President Biden on the Line 3 project here.

More on Environment & Energy

McCollum Floor Remarks Supporting FY2017 Omnibus

May 3, 2017 Press Release

This final bipartisan agreement will protect our environment, meet our trust and treaty obligations to Native Americans, and safeguard our natural and cultural heritage. Sadly, the President’s 2018 budget would undo all this work, so we must stay vigilant.

McCollum Fact Sheet: FY2017 Interior-Environment Appropriations

May 1, 2017 Press Release

As lead Democrat on the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, my colleagues and I led the fight for our Democratic priorities in this critical bill. Because we stood strong for our values, this bill protects our environment, keeps our commitments to Native Americans, and safeguards our natural and cultural heritage.

McCollum Statement on FY2017 Omnibus Bill

May 1, 2017 Press Release

While Republican political game playing delayed this bill for seven months, it is nevertheless a win for Minnesotans and Americans... The omnibus bill does not include President Donald Trump's dangerous spending cuts and immoral, wasteful border wall. That is a victory for the values we all share.

McCollum Statement on Trump Order Threatening National Monuments

April 26, 2017 Press Release

President Donald Trump’s order is an attack on our public lands and national heritage. A review of the Antiquities Act and national monument designations is nothing but a pretext to remove protections from millions of acres of America’s public lands and expose them to exploitation by private interests.

McCollum Statement on 2017 Earth Day

April 21, 2017 Press Release

As we celebrate Earth Day, we reflect on environmental challenges in our communities and around the world. This year, our air, our water, our treasured places, and even the health of our planet are under attack from President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans.

McCollum Opposes H.R. 1430, Another Republican Attack on Public Health, Scientific Integrity

March 29, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee — which funds the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke today on the House Floor against House Republicans’ H.R. 1430, a bill that prevents the EPA from functioning effectively and using the best scientific data available.

McCollum Statement on Trump Order Attacking Environmental and Public Health Protections

March 28, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s executive order attacking environmental and public health protections:

McCollum Statement on President Trump’s Backwards Budget Cuts to Minnesota

March 16, 2017 Press Release

Minnesota cities, counties, and nonprofits will all feel the devastating effects of President Donald Trump’s backwards budget. With these harsh cuts — and the outright elimination of many programs — the Trump administration is abandoning our communities and our state. This budget shifts to Minnesota taxpayers the burden for keeping our state safe, strong, and moving forward.

McCollum Statement on President Donald Trump’s Backwards Budget

March 16, 2017 Page

McCollum, House Democrats Speak Out Against Proposed Cuts to EPA, Arts and Humanities

February 28, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, and House Democrats used Tuesday’s Subcommittee’s Members’ Day hearing to speak out strongly against cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency and to oppose cuts to the arts and humanities.