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 Statement on Congressman Emmer’s Anti-BWCA Bill

October 3, 2017 Press Release

“Congressman Emmer’s bill is an all-out attack on our nation’s most visited wilderness — the Boundary Waters Canoe Area."

McCollum Requests Details of Secretary Zinke’s Private Flights

September 29, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, today wrote to Interior Secretary Zinke requesting specific details of his flights on private charter planes at taxpayer expense.

McCollum Statement on Trump Administration’s Secret National Monuments Report

September 18, 2017 Press Release

“Our National Monuments protect America’s natural history and they preserve our cultural heritage, including the sacred sites of our Native American brothers and sisters. It is a travesty that the Trump administration wants to abuse these treasured places for private profit.”

McCollum Condemns EPA’s Inappropriate Personal Attack on Journalist

September 12, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt condemning the EPA’s personal attacks on an Associated Press journalist.

McCollum Opposes Anti-Environment Riders, Including Latest Attempt to Allow Dangerous Mining Next to Minnesota’s BWCA

September 7, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, today opposed a Republican amendment package that included an amendment to allow mining in the Superior National Forest adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

McCollum Floor Statement Opposing Anti-Environment Riders, Including Mining Near the BWCA

September 7, 2017 Statements For the Record

"I am opposed to all the amendments included in this en bloc. Many of them use offsets from accounts in the Environmental Protection Agency or Fish and Wildlife Service that are already severely underfunded. I am particularly troubled by one amendment in this group that threatens our nation’s most visited wilderness area. Let me tell you why I oppose the Emmer Amendment."

McCollum Opposes House GOP’s 8-Bill Appropriations Package, Cuts to Interior-Environment Programs

September 6, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, spoke on the House Floor today in strong opposition to House Republicans’ eight-bill appropriations package and its devastating $824 million cut to the programs funded in the Interior-Environment bill.

McCollum Floor Statement Opposing 8-Bill Appropriations Package, Cuts to Interior-Environment Programs

September 6, 2017 Statements For the Record

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor opposing H.R. 3354, House Republicans' eight-bill omnibus appropriations package, and particularly its deep cuts to environmental protection.

McCollum Statement to Rules Committee Regarding H.R. 3354

September 6, 2017 Statements For the Record

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, testified before the House Rules Committee opposing the House Republican majority's closed process for the consideration of H.R. 3354, and particularly Division A, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018.

McCollum Urges Emergency Fire Suppression Funding in Supplemental Appropriations Bill

September 5, 2017 Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, today wrote to bipartisan House leaders urging the inclusion of $300 million for urgent wildfire suppression activities in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill for Hurricane Harvey relief.