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 Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I am a strong supporter of action on climate change. 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.

Find information on H.R. 2794, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act, here.

More on Environment & Energy

McCollum Statement on Trump Administration Limiting Environmental Review of Mining Near BWCA

January 26, 2018 Press Release

"Unfortunately, the Trump administration's decision to abandon a comprehensive and public Environment Impact Statement appears to demonstrate that an Interior Department hell-bent on advancing toxic mining is calling the shots about the future of this untouched wilderness."

McCollum, Top Democrats Alarmed by EPA Contract with GOP Operatives

January 5, 2018 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, and Democratic leaders of the Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure committees sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt today expressing their serious concerns regarding a no-bid contract awarded by EPA to Definers Public Affairs.

McCollum Statement on Trump Decision to Expand Offshore Drilling

January 4, 2018 Press Release

"In May, I joined a bipartisan group of House members urging Secretary Zinke to maintain existing policies that protect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from oil and gas exploration. Now, I plan to work with across the aisle with my colleagues and with concerned Americans to overturn Secretary Zinke’s disastrous decision and protect our coasts from dangerous drilling."

McCollum Statement on Interior Department’s Decision to Reinstate Mining Leases Adjacent to BWCA

December 22, 2017 Press Release

“The Trump administration is blatantly dishonest and cannot be trusted. They are determined to sell, exploit, and destroy the American people’s natural treasures like Bears Ears National Monument, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and now our own Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park. For every Minnesotan and American who believes in conservation and values our national resources, the battle lines are drawn.”

McCollum Statement on Final Passage of Trump-GOP Tax Scam

December 19, 2017 Press Release

“In my 17 years in the U.S. House, I have seen few pieces of legislation as devastating as this Republican tax scam. In the year ahead, I look forward to joining millions of Minnesotans and Americans holding the Republicans who voted for this bill accountable.”

McCollum Statement on President Trump’s Attack on National Monuments

December 4, 2017 Press Release

“President Donald Trump has put Native American sacred sites and some of our nation’s most iconic places in the crosshairs of corporations who want to drill and mine on America’s public lands. Once again, President Trump is putting extractive industries before the best interests of the American people."

McCollum Statement on Passage of Anti-Boundary Waters Legislation

November 30, 2017 Press Release

“The polluters won today, but the fight is not over. “This close vote sends a clear message to the Senate that this legislation is politically toxic and should not even be considered, much less passed. We must keep making our voices heard and urging our Senators to save the Boundary Waters.”

McCollum Floor Remarks Opposing H.R. 3905, Toxic Mining Adjacent to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

November 29, 2017 Press Release

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this destructive bill. This bill undermines bedrock environmental and public land management laws in order to create perpetual leases for a foreign-owned, toxic mine. This mine will be on the doorstep of one of our country’s last truly wild places—The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness."

McCollum Floor Remarks Opposing H.R. 3115, Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act

November 28, 2017 Press Release

"H.R. 3115 undermines legal due process, environmental safeguards, and the treaty rights of our Native American brothers and sisters. I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 3115."

McCollum Statement on Trump Administration's Emergency Supplemental Funding Request

November 17, 2017 Press Release

“The Trump administration’s latest supplemental request is woefully inadequate. I am appalled that the Trump administration wants to make people suffering in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands wait even longer to rebuild their homes and lives. The request also fails Florida, Texas, and those impacted by the wildfires in California. Our fellow Americans deserve better."