As the election results come into greater focus, one thing is clear: to keep this momentum going, EEN’s mission, and your partnership with us in bringing this work to fruition, is more important than ever. This vital work will require all of us working together–Republican and Democrat, conservative and progressive, young and old, rural and urban, and those across any other line that seeks to divide us. As evangelicals who serve the God who breaks down the dividing walls of hostility and creates in himself one body through the peacemaking and reconciling work of the cross (Ephesians 2:14-16), it’s time to come together for bold and hopeful action to ensure a safe climate and healthy environment where all God’s children and creation can thrive.
On Wednesday, October 16, the Supreme Court denied requests from industry groups and state attorneys general to freeze the EPA’s new safeguards on carbon pollution from power plants. In its order, the court stated that the rule would remain in place as proceedings take place in lower courts. This decision marks the third time this term that the Supreme Court has declined to block new EPA rules on harmful and/or climate warming pollution, including safeguards on methane emissions and air toxics. In response to the court’s decision, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
On Friday, October 4th, 2024 the Supreme Court denied requests from industry groups and states to halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 111 Methane Rule, Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, and block new limits on methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas infrastructure. In response to this decision, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman issued the following statement.
On Friday, October 4, EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe will retire from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Deputy Administrator McCabe stated, “I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life, taking me back home to Indiana to be with my family and friends.” In response, EEN President and CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced up to $7.7 billion for fiscal year 2025 to help agricultural and forestry producers adopt voluntary conservation practices on working lands, representing double the amount made available last year and the highest level of assistance made available in a single year in U.S. history for popular USDA conservation programs. In response, Evangelical Environmental Network President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, released the following statement.
As evangelical Christians, we commit ourselves to the God of reconciliation who is “setting things right” (Romans 3:22, MSG). Reconciliation requires remembrance, an act Scripture places great importance on. In this spirit, over 15,390 pro-life Christians (including 10,900 in Oklahoma) have registered their support to designate “Black Wall Street” in the Historic Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma–and the site of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre–as a national monument.
New independent analysis by four expert energy modeling groups projects that the Bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, which was reported out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee with strong bipartisan support (15-4), will produce net reductions in carbon emissions by streamlining the permitting process and removing bottlenecks that have slowed the buildout of clean energy in America. In response, Evangelical Environmental Network President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, released the following statement.
On September 5th, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized their “Policy for Meaningful Engagement and Public Participation in Agency Decision-Making Processes.” According to the EPA, “The Achieving Health and Environmental Protection Through EPA’s Meaningful Engagement Policy (Meaningful Engagement Policy) outlines updates on how the agency intends to engage with the public and provide meaningful public participation opportunities in all of its programs and regions.” In response, Evangelical Environmental Network President and CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
EEN celebrates the recent bipartisan passage of House Bill 1032, the Solar for Schools Grant Program, in the Senate. By diversifying our energy mix, this bill will add more reliable, renewable energy to the grid and a better school environment for our children to learn in. Carolyn Heckman, the Associate Director of Pennsylvania Policy for EEN, shares a statement.
On Friday June 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy announced that they are now receiving applications for $850 million in federal funding for projects that will help monitor, measure, quantify and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors as part of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program created under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. In response to this announcement, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman issued the following statement.
Today, with bipartisan approval the House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 - its version of the five-year farm bill reauthorization. The Farm Bill is a crucial opportunity to better support our farmers, foresters, and ranchers in their calling to steward God’s creation, to promote food security for our families, national security for our country, and to pass down a strong legacy and bright future to the next generation.
America’s farmers, foresters, and ranchers are important stewards of God’s creation. The five-year Farm Bill is a crucial opportunity to better enable our farmers to carry out this critical work as well as advance the food security of our families and America’s national security. The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson for his leadership advancing the Farm Bill process with the release of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act.
Over 90,000 pro-life Christians have joined the Evangelical Environmental Network in voicing support for preserving the Inflation Reduction Act’s recent $20 billion investment in helping our farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices. As evangelical Christians who care about stewarding God's creation well, we applaud America's farmers, foresters, and ranchers as critical stewards of our land, water, and air. However, they need our support to keep up the good work.
Today, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released a detailed section-by-section farm bill reauthorization proposal, The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. In response, The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, EEN’s President & CEO, released the following statement.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a suite of finalized pollution safeguards for the power sector, including strengthened standards on hazardous air pollutants under the life-saving Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) and measures to cut carbon pollution from new gas power plants and existing coal-fired power plants. In response to today’s announcement, The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, EEN’s President & CEO, released the following statement.
Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced final standards that will modernize oil and gas leasing on public lands. On behalf of the over 33,000 pro-life Christians who spoke out in support of these reforms, along with a majority of western voters, EEN celebrates these common-sense updates that will bring oil and gas leasing into the 21st century and encourage better stewardship of God’s creation.
On April 2, 2024, the House Conservative Climate Caucus announced that Representative John Curtis (R-Utah) will be turning over leadership to Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). Rep. Miller-Meeks will be the second chair of this 85-member caucus. In response, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
Last Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles, (Phase 3) for model years 2027 through 2032. Heavy-duty vehicles, including tractor trailers, delivery vans, and diesel-powered school buses, play an outsized role in generating unhealthy air in our neighborhoods and carbon pollution that fuels climate change. In response to these finalized standards, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
On March 27, the Department of the Interior announced a final rule from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to curb the waste of our precious natural resources during the production of oil and gas on federal and Tribal lands. In response, The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, released the following statement.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized emissions standards for light-duty vehicles model year 2027 through 2032. These safeguards are a historic step forward in cleaning up our nation’s transportation sector–which is responsible for approximately 45% of harmful smog-forming NOx emissions in the U.S.–and defending our communities from dangerous tailpipe pollution that chokes our air and harms public health. In response to these finalized safeguards, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement.
On March 13, 2024, President Biden announced $3.3 billion in funding for projects in over 40 states that will reconnect and rebuild communities, particularly those that have been historically divided by transportation infrastructure and have long been overlooked and underinvested. In response to this announcement, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, President and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, released the following statement.
On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will amend its proposed plan to cut carbon pollution from the power sector. The revised plan will advance as a two-pronged approach that tackles pollution from new gas plants and existing coal plants now while addressing existing gas plants in the future. As a result, the EPA will launch a new rulemaking process for existing gas power plants that will apply to the entire gas-fired fleet and cover more pollutants than originally proposed, including toxic and criteria air pollution. In response, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, released the following statement.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) applauds Governor Josh Shapiro for highlighting the importance of weatherization, energy efficiency, and the health of our families and communities during his Pennsylvania 2024/2025 budget address. The Whole-Home Repairs Program will provide funding for county-wide agencies to address habitability and safety concerns, provide measures to improve energy or water efficiency, and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, this program provides funding to PA counties for construction-related workforce development, meaning family-sustaining jobs across our state’s communities.
On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final plan to strengthen a critical national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for soot pollution, also known as fine particle pollution or PM2.5. In response, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, released the following statement.
Today, the United States Senate confirmed Mr. Joseph Goffman as Assistant Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. The Office of Air and Radiation has the critical mission of ensuring clean air for all Americans. On behalf of the more than 600,000 pro-life Christians who have taken action with us for strong pollution safeguards, clean air, and a safe climate for all God’s children, the Evangelical Environmental Network congratulates Mr. Goffman on his confirmation.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal for a methane waste charge on large sources of oil and gas methane pollution. The proposed methane waste charge is part of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program authorized by Congress through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. In response, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman issued the following statement
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement of $350 million in funding to 14 states to identify, measure, and permanently reduce methane emissions from low-producing (marginal) conventional oil and gas wells as part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Cutting wasteful and dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is one of the fastest ways to slow global warming now and is also crucial to defending our children’s health from toxic gases associated with methane leaks and other contaminates that despoil God’s amazing creation.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final standard to curb wasteful methane emissions and other harmful air pollutants from the oil and gas sector. On behalf of the more than 600,000 pro-life Christians who spoke out with EEN for stronger methane pollution safeguards over the last decade, the Evangelical Environmental Network applauds President Biden and EPA Administrator Regan for taking this bold action to cut methane pollution from oil & gas production.
Altogether, the new methane safeguards are expected to eliminate an estimated 80% of wasteful methane leaks and prevent approximately 58 million tons of methane (equivalent to 1.5 billion tons of CO2), 16 million tons of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 600,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants from being released into the air we breathe over the next 15 years.
The new EPA methane standard is not only good for our health, climate, and God’s creation, but will also create thousands of new, family-sustaining careers in manufacturing, construction, and maintenance operations to deploy leak reducing technologies and practices at new, modified, and existing oil and gas facilities. It also represents wise stewardship of our precious natural resources and good fiscal management. Methane leaks, if captured instead of being wasted into the atmosphere, could heat and power millions of homes and generate billions in revenues.
We at the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) and its policy partner EEN Action thank Governor Shapiro for taking the important step in moving toward a safe and healthy future for all generations by appealing the lower commonwealth court’s decision regarding the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). In Mark 12, the Bible tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This decision allows us to care for the health and wellbeing of our neighbors throughout the commonwealth, especially our children.
The Evangelical Environmental Network and our over 150,000 pro-life supporters thank Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro for prioritizing public health and safety by taking a monumental step in addressing the 43rd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury report and recommendations. By taking action to right its wrongs, CNX Resources has a chance to prove itself and change its ways moving forward in its collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) for the introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act of 2023. This bill is a win for American workers and will help ensure a healthy environment for all of God’s children, both at home and across the world.
This week, the Evangelical Environmental Network submitted over 37,000 comments from pro-life Christians to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in support of stronger fuel economy standards on passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. These comments urged the DOT to increase passenger car fuel economy by 6% a year–and light trucks by 8% a year–beginning in model year 2027, as well as supporting a 10% improvement for pickup trucks and work vans beginning in 2030.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) condemns the heinous acts of terrorism and violence perpetrated against Israel by Hamas and mourns the catastrophic loss of life in Israel and Palestine that has continued throughout the region since Saturday. As pro-life evangelicals, we believe every life is sacred and of unsurpassable worth to God. As such, we are deeply saddened by the thousands of lives lost, including those of mothers, elders, and children.
Today, the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) submitted 33,059 comments from individual pro-life Christians calling on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to modernize oil and gas leasing on our public lands (Docket ID No. BLM-2023-0005-0001).
EEN applauds Sen. Hickenlooper and Rep. Peters for their leadership introducing the BIG WIRES Act. The BIG WIRES Act would spur the development of interregional transmission lines to connect our fragmented and disconnected regional grids in our country and will help increase energy reliability, lower costs, and defend life from the harms of prolonged blackouts during extreme weather conditions.
On September 6, the White House announced that the Biden Administration canceled existing oil and gas leases on public lands in the Arctic Refuge. Additionally, the Administration announced protections for 13 million acres of the Western Arctic. EEN President/CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman expresses her support and gratitude.
Today, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will discontinue its reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone issued during the Trump Administration and instead refocus its efforts on a new scientific review. In response to the EPA’s announcement, the Evangelical Environmental Network’s President & CEO the Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman issues a statement.
Today, the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) submitted 51,584 comments from individual pro-life Christians in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed standards on carbon pollution from fossil-fuel-fired power plants (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072-0001). These proposed standards–which require a cut in carbon emissions by up to 90% from new and existing fossil fuel power plants by 2040–will prevent 1,300 premature deaths, 800 hospital and ER visits, more than 300,000 asthma attacks, 38,000 school absences, and 66,000 lost workdays in the year 2030 alone.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the newly announced partnership between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide up to $350 million in funding for states to identify and permanently reduce methane emissions from low-producing (marginal) conventional oil and gas wells as part of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. The Methane Emissions Reduction Program, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, is central to stopping wasteful and dangerous methane leaks that harm our children’s health and contaminate God’s amazing creation.
Today, the Evangelical Environmental Network is proud to announce our joining of the 1t.org US chapter. 1t.org US, or the Trillion Trees Platform, is a community of US-based companies, nonprofit organizations, and governments committed to reaching the global goal of creating healthy and resilient forests through conservation, restoration, and reforestation.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the U.S. Department of the Interior’s and Bureau of Land Management’s proposed rule to modernize oil and gas leasing on our public lands. The proposed rule is a win for God’s creation, better health, fiscal responsibility, and fairness for the American taxpayer.
The PROVE-IT Act provides the data collection to prove that American manufacturing industries such as steel, aluminum, cement, and batteries – to name a few – are among the cleanest in the world, especially in terms of energy use, efficiency, and carbon intensity. This verifiable data defends American industry against other nations who produce higher pollution levels that threaten the health of our children and American jobs.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) investment of $300 million to improve measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. On-farm soil carbon measurement and monitoring is one of the best ways to accelerate the long-term adoption of sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, allowing farmers to see for themselves the value and effectiveness of climate-smart agriculture.
Today, the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) submitted 25,303 comments from individual pro-life Christians calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen safeguards on pollution from light- and medium-duty passenger vehicles (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0829). In June, EEN also delivered 21,676 comments to the EPA in support of stronger standards on heavy-duty vehicle emissions (Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2022–0985).
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) offers proud support for Senator Hickenlooper (D, CO) and Representative Scott Peters’s (D, CA-50) plans to introduce The Building Integrated Grids With Inter-Regional Energy Supply (BIG WIRES) Act. It is far past time to upgrade our outdated electric transmission. We must provide sufficient interconnection between our three major grids and all wholesale energy markets and transmission planning regions.
As pro-life evangelicals, scripture calls us to be good stewards of all God’s creation – this includes both the natural world as well as each other, especially children. Defending children’s health is not just an ethical calling, but a biblical one. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the opportunity to defend children’s health through two proposed bills: Senate Bill 230 (AEPS/Community Solar) and House Bill 1032 (Solar for Schools Grant Program).
The Evangelical Environmental Network’s (EEN) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman as EEN’s next President and CEO. The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman is a climate and environmental scientist, pastor, educator, and advocate. She currently serves as EEN’s Vice President of Science and Policy.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the introduction of the COVER Program Act. This bipartisan, bicameral act will expand and codify the Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP). A program which was supported by the majority of farmers who participated in EEN's listening sessions this past fall and winter. The COVER Act is a no-nonsense Bill that is voluntary, has minimal cost, and supplies huge benefits in soil health, soil conservation, water quality improvements, and food security for all Americans.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the U.S. EPA’s proposed safeguards requiring cuts in carbon pollution by up to 90% from new and existing fossil fuel power plants by 2040. As the second-largest source of U.S. carbon emissions, power plant pollution must be addressed to defend the health and lives of our children and families.
Every child deserves to reach their God-given potential, but as communities across the country–such as East Palestine, OH; Cambria County, PA; and Washington County, KS–grapple with the fallout of contaminated water, air, and soil from toxic leaks and spills, many parents worry for their children’s health and safety. That is why the Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for their proposed rule to better detect and repair methane leaks from natural gas pipelines.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) proudly supports the efforts of Senators Braun (R, IN) and Bennet’s (D, CO) Increased TSP Access Act of 2023. Throughout Fall 2022 and Winter 2023, EEN hosted twelve Farm Bill listening sessions with evangelical farmers across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. In our meetings, many farmers called for increased support and resources to be put toward creating more robust and reliable technical assistance programs.
At the Evangelical Environment Network, we believe no child should have their God-given potential cut short. That’s why we applaud the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Administrator Regan for their proposal strengthening safeguards against hazardous air pollutants under the life-saving Mercury and Air Toxics Standard.
The Evangelical Environmental Network and our over 150,000 pro-life supporters applaud Governor Josh Shapiro in his budget address for holding up our Commonwealth’s Constitution and its amendment to defend our children’s health:
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustees of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.
Today the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee is marking up H.R. 1141, a bill that would repeal the Methane Emissions Reduction Program that provides a critical new avenue for defending all God's children, both born and unborn, from the health harms of methane pollution and associated climate threats. MERP is a forward-looking program, set to put the U.S. on a path to successfully and efficiently reduce oil and gas methane emissions and spur economic innovation in methane mitigation. The standards and limits set in MERP are in line with the industry-set goals, and many operators understand the need to lower their emissions and have already started doing so. With this in mind, we strongly oppose H.R. 1141 and the threat it poses to children’s health, God’s creation, and our economy.
A train derailment earlier this month in East Palestine, Ohio has recently received a great deal of attention across the country. The crash resulted in the derailment of 50 cars, including 11 carrying highly toxic chemicals. In all, thousands of gallons of toxic matter spilled and burned at the site of the crash. These toxins – used in making paint, adhesives, and PVC pipes – were spread into the surrounding air, ground, and water. How can we as Christians respond to this incident and take action to prevent future accidents?
Today, the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) announced its priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. As a general FACA member, The Evangelical Environmental Network proudly supports these policy recommendations. It is time we supply the support for some of America’s best stewards of creation and help our farmers get rewarded for their climate mitigation and adaptation practices so more in the agriculture community can become part of the solution.
Earlier in February 2023, Senators Bill Cassidy (R, LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D, RI) reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act. The RISSE Act has overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers, with a host of co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle. The Evangelical Environmental Network is thankful for the efforts of both lead senators and the many cosponsors.
Psalm 33:5 states that, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Today, there’s a wonderful sense of justice as EPA Administrator Regan signed the finalized Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS). This promulgation once again—and hopefully for the final time—determines that it is both appropriate and necessary to regulate mercury and other hazardous gases that have, for decades, inflicted brain damage and other severe health conditions on America’s children.
This overwhelming support from our community is a witness to their strong concern for defending the health and lives of children from the threats of toxins and climate warming methane from the oil/gas industry.
One option to help decrease indoor pollution is swapping out your gas stove for an electric one. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), families have the opportunity to change their old gas stoves out for more efficient and safer electric stoves in an affordable way.
The Evangelical Environmental Network is thankful for EPA Administrator Regan’s announcement this morning regarding lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 to a 9-10 μg/m3 range for the annual standard while keeping the 24-hour standard at 35 μg/m3. While we are not content with the current proposed standards, we are glad the public process is finally underway, and EEN will work to strengthen the rule for the health and safety of God's children.
America’s farmers, foresters, and ranchers are among the most dedicated stewards of God’s creation and are a key part of the solution to climate change. However, significant logistical and financial barriers often exist that make it difficult for these stewards to implement good conservation and climate-friendly practices. That’s why we applaud the inclusion of the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act in the end-of-year funding package.
We at the Evangelical Environmental Network are thankful for the EPA’s promulgation of its Heavy-Duty Vehicle NOx Standard today. This rule is a much-needed first action to curb NOx pollution from freight trucks and other large vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles contribute 63% of dangerous nitrogen oxides and other pollution in our air, harming respiratory and cardiovascular health, especially in marginalized communities found near freight routes.
Rev. Mitch Hescox has announced his retirement from the Evangelical Environmental Network as of August 1, 2023. Mitch has been the President & CEO of EEN for the last 14 years.
On December 6, 2022, EEN's Vice President for Science and Policy Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman testified before House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Below is a written version of her testimony.
The Evangelical Environmental Network thanks the BLM for the release of the BLM Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation Standard. This rule is a good first step but needs to go further. As we study the newly released proposal, we pray BLM will follow the lead of several pioneering western states and propose tangible benefits to end routine flaring and venting to avoid wasteful practices and protect the health of our greatest resource: our children.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated rule to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from oil and gas operations across the U.S. The proposed standard would reduce 36 million tons of leaked methane, 9.7 million tons of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) smog-producing compounds, and 390,000 tons of hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s) such as cancer-causing benzene. These reductions will have a profound impact in defending our kids’ health and lives and will also significantly contribute to addressing the climate crisis.
We pray and hope that Save Our Sequoias Act quickly becomes a bipartisan effort in the Senate, as it already is in the House of Representatives, and moves with haste through both chambers to President Biden’s desk.
As President & CEO of EEN, I have partnered with Gina McCarthy for over a decade in our shared mission to defend children’s health and lives from pollution and climate threats. I am grateful for her tireless work as a public servant dedicated to protecting the health of all Americans and applaud her great successes as the first National Climate Advisor.
Today, we celebrate with President Biden, the majority of Americans, and the entire world that the United States is in the process of assuming its position as a global leader on climate change with the signing of The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA marks the single largest investment to address the climate crisis, build community resilience in the face of extreme weather, and defend the health of our children from life-shortening fossil fuel pollution.
With today’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by the US House of Representatives, we are just one signature away from the single largest legislative investment in climate, health, and access to clean energy in American history. As evangelicals, scripture calls us to be good stewards of all God’s creation – this includes both the natural world as well as each other. The IRA opens up new doors and avenues for American families and businesses to do just that.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) applauds Chairwoman Stabenow (D, MI) and her incredible staff for leading the charge to include conservation and climate smart farming provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Today, we celebrate with the majority of Americans and the world that the United States is again assuming its leadership responsibility to address the climate crisis. As the premier medical journal The Lancet states, “Climate change is the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century, but it is also the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health.” At the Evangelical Environmental Network, we couldn’t agree more.
As pro-life Christians who believe in the sanctity of life from conception until natural death, EEN supports the EPA’s decision to issue a regulation on ethylene oxide emissions. We are equally encouraged that the EPA has already been working with the industry to reduce emissions and to achieve a life and health-saving standard.
The following is a letter from The Rev. Mitch Hescox, EEN's President and CEO, to Daryl Metcalfe and Greg Vitali, chairs of Pennsylvania's Environmental Resources & Energy Committee about the August 2 committee meeting on Environmental Quality Board regulation #7-544.
With a heavy heart all of EEN mourns the death of our beloved co-founder, Ron Sider. Ron loved Jesus and worked all his life to follow Jesus and live out Jesus’ teaching.
The Evangelical Environmental Network offers high praise to Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Chairman Manchin (D-WV) and their staff for securing the historic agreement that tackles inflation, reduces the deficit, and invests a transformative $369.75 billion in Energy Security and Climate Change through The Inflation Reduction Act Of 2022 (IRA).
While President Biden’s plans to expand offshore wind energy, accelerate America’s transition to clean energy, provide $2.3 billion for communities to build climate-resilient infrastructure, and introduce measures to help cities and states cope with extreme heat are needed and welcome, they are insufficient to meet this moment. That’s why we must also have aggressive, meaningful, bipartisan legislation that will quickly draw down emissions, defend the health of our children, create millions of family-sustaining jobs, and help more communities prepare for the climate impacts of today.
The Supreme Court decision in West Virginia vs. EPA to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon pollution is a significant blow to God’s children here in the United States and throughout creation.
The following is the written testimony of EEN's Vice President for Science & Policy, The Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman, from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hearing entitled "Cutting Methane Pollution: Safeguarding Health, Creating Jobs, and Protecting Our Climate" on June 24, 2022.
After decades of fire suppression and the ever-increasing threat of climate change, Giant Sequoias are facing a mortality emergency. The SOS Act will provide land managers with the emergency tools and resources needed to save these remaining ancient wonders from the unprecedented peril threatening their long-term survival.
From severe storms and flooding to extreme heat, drought, and wildfires, volatile and unpredictable climate extremes already threaten American families and businesses. The urgency for real solutions to the challenges of climate change is clear – as is the need for all hands on deck. We applaud House Republicans for stepping into the arena with the announcement of the Republican Energy, Climate, and Conservation (ECC) Task Force’s six-point plan.
Today, The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) submitted 67,755 Comments from Christians to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of the “Clean Trucks Standard.”
With the final publication of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) rule on April 23, the table is set for Pennsylvania to start accruing proceeds that could amount to over $200 million every single quarter. It is well past time to move beyond partisan games and to work together for a new, vibrant, bipartisan energy economy for all Pennsylvanians.
The following is the written testimony of EEN President and CEO Rev. Mitch Hescox from the EPA Public Hearing on the Ozone Transport Rule held on April 21, 2022
The over 50,000 pro-life Christians who have acted in support of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) thank Pennsylvania Representatives Mehaffie (R, 106), Stephens (R, 151), and Thomas (178) for voting against HB 637. Our community appreciates your decision to defend our children’s health and build a clean energy economy with family-sustaining jobs for all by reducing carbon emissions and other pollutants.
The legacy of orphaned oil and gas wells and abandoned mine lands has left behind a frightening bequest of toxic air and fouled water. And it is we the people who are left paying the cost of this scarred legacy – not only in taxpayer dollars but with our health and safety. It is time to incentivize the well-being of our children instead of the fossil fuel industry. And it is past time for the American taxpayer to stop footing the bill to clean up the fossil fuel industry’s messes.
The following is the written testimony of EEN President and CEO Rev. Mitch Hescox from the EPA Public Hearing on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) held on February 24, 2022.
Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are among the most dedicated stewards of God’s creation. We applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities” pilot program that will better empower them to put climate-smart conservation practices into action on their land.
As a child growing up in the tiny village of Blandburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, where my playgrounds were un-reclaimed coal strip mines less than 75 yards from our backdoor, I am pleased to see today’s announcement regarding the Department of the Interior releasing $725 million first funds of the $11.3 billion funds authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
There’s a wonderful sense of justice following EPA Administrator Regan’s announcement of a new proposal to reinstate the “appropriate and necessary finding” for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard foolishly removed by the Trump Administration. The EEN community will work to ensure that MATS is reinstated as quickly as possible to defend our children from the debilitating harms of mercury poisoning and toxic air pollution. No child should have their life potential cut short.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) will submit 133,242 comments from individual pro-life Christians in support of and with calls to strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rulemaking for Existing and New Sources Standards For Reducing Methane and Toxins From the Oil/Gas Sector (Docket #EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0317).
In November 2021, Olivet Nazarene University completed the installation of 3,124 solar panels on two campus buildings. The panels, provided through a partnership with SunVest Solar, produce a maximum of 1 million watts (megawatts) of electricity during peak sunlight and are estimated to produce about 1,250,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
The Evangelical Environmental Network, along with over 30,500 pro-life Christians who submitted comments supporting Pennsylvania joining the Regional Green House Gas Initiative, is thankful to Governor Wolf for vetoing the General Assembly’s ill-advised S.C.R.R.R. 1 that would have severely cost our state by denying RGGI membership.
The EPA's new tailpipe emissions standards mean we can all breathe easier and get where we need to with less pollution.
In this critical decade where every action matters, EEN applauds the Biden Administration’s executive order directing the federal government to lead by example by protecting God’s creation and securing a safe climate and healthy environment for our children and all Americans.
Now is the time to exercise sound fiscal responsibility through good economic and environmental stewardship. It’s time to defend our children’s health and future and to stop wasting taxpayer money by cleaning up the fossil fuels legacy of literally dumping the costs on all of us.
A Statement on Pennsylvania's Finalized Air Quality Standard for the Control of VOC Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Sources.
This standard will be presented to PA DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee on Thursday December 9, 2021
The following is the written testimony of Rev. Mitchell Hescox from the EPA Oil and Gas Public Hearing held on November 30, 2021.
57,000 pro-life Christians signed the Evangelical Environmental Network’s (EEN) petition calling for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic Refuge is a sacred place, and pro-life Christians know that ongoing attempts to open the land to oil and gas drilling is an affront to God’s creation and the Indigenous sovereignty of the Gwich’in people.
With today’s passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives, we are one step closer to giving our children a bright and healthy future that we can be proud to pass down. As Evangelical Christians with a special care for the unborn, we especially celebrate the expanded policies for defending children’s health.
EEN celebrates the signing of the landmark bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law today by President Biden because it is good news for our children’s health, our communities’ safety, and the financial wellbeing of our families and the economy. This historic bill, however, must only be the beginning for bold bipartisan climate action. In a time of sharp political division, this bill shows that Congress can come together against the odds to do what’s right for our country and our children’s future. It also shows that climate action can and must continue to be bipartisan.
EEN applauds the House of Representatives for coming together to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The historic investments in this bill will have immediate impact defending our children’s health, restoring God’s creation, and setting us on the path to a clean energy future fueled by family-sustaining jobs for American workers across all corners of the country.
Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released two proposed standards for methane pollution from both new and existing sources in the oil and gas industry. We at the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) applaud this positive leadership from the EPA that is estimated to accomplish 74% reductions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. For the sake of our children’s health, we are extremely excited that these new standards target emissions levels directly, rather than production levels, to determine leak and inspection parameters. This effectively rewards responsible firms that work to keep emissions low, while holding marginal and low-producing wells—which have been, in many cases, the worst offenders for harmful emissions—accountable to clean up their messes.
Today’s announcement by President Biden on the Build Back Better (BBB) Framework is good news. The historic $555 billion investment in climate action lays a sound foundation for continuing the fight to defend God’s children at home and around the world.
EEN is very troubled by the Pennsylvania Senate’s vote today to approve Senate Concurrent Regulatory
Review Resolution 1, a resolution disapproving the the CO2 Budget Trading Program which has been
approved by multiple committees of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as well as the
state’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). This action, an attempt to stop Pennsylvania from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), puts politics ahead of the health, safety, and future of Pennsylvania citizens, particularly our children.
EEN celebrates President Biden's decision to listen to the majority of Americans and restore the previous boundaries to Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments.
Asthma, preterm labor, and other respiratory illnesses are all preventable epidemics that Americans have suffered under for far too long. Our children are in danger every day that vehicle pollution continues to choke their air.
Yesterday, Pennsylvania took a crucial step to join a regional initiative to cut carbon emissions and defend our children’s health. The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted to approve the regulation that will link Pennsylvania to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
While the IPCC report confirmed our greatest concerns about climate change, there is hope if we act now. The IPCC has provided reputable information on climate for the past 30 years, informing us of its risks, severity, and arrival. This most recent report represents eight years of work from 234 authors and includes 14,000 citations to other scientific reports. We lament that humanity has squandered opportunities to act on the IPCC’s warnings sooner. We must not let this happen again.
Today, the U.S. Senate passed a historic bipartisan infrastructure plan. EEN applauds the bipartisan collaboration on one of the most significant climate policies ever, representing the largest investment in history in clean energy transmission and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Moments ago, the U.S. Senate voted to proceed with debate on a historic bipartisan infrastructure plan. The plan represents a major investment in America’s roads, bridges, water lines, ports, and internet connections. It is also one of the most significant climate policies ever, representing the largest investment in history in clean energy transmission and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Congratulations to Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) for the introduction of The Energy Sector Innovation Credit (ESIC) legislation.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds Senator Bob Casey (D, PA) for Revitalizing the Civilian Conservation Corps proposal and yesterday's introduction of the Restore Environmental Vitality and Improve Volatile Economy (REVIVE) by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Act. The Bible reminds us that “the land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and tenants. Throughout the land that you hold, you shall provide for the redemption of the land,” (Leviticus 25:23-24, NRSV).
Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the revelation of the $61 million bribery and racketeering scandal surrounding House Bill 6 (HB 6). This law removed all energy efficiency standards, slashed renewable energy standards, and continues to provide a bailout for two coal plants built in the 1950s (one of which is out of state). Ohio legislators continue to let this $61 million bribe determine the state’s energy present and dictate the state’s energy future.
The Evangelical Environment Network (EEN) applauds Chair Joe Manchin, his energy staff, and Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for their bipartisan support in advancing the almost $100 billion energy infrastructure package yesterday.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds the Pennsylvania Department of Environment of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Environmental Quality Board’s (EQB) vote today to approve a rulemaking authorizing Pennsylvania to take part in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
We are thankful for co-sponsors Representatives Diana DeGette of Colorado, Scott Peters of California, and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania for their leadership in introducing the Methane Congressional Review Act to end the Trump Administration attack on our children. And a special thank you to the 12 Republican members who put life before party lines.
The Evangelical Environment Network, our Board of Directors, millions of our followers–many of whom are farmers, and the 80 members of Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance all joined together to support this bill that provides farmers, rangers, and foresters a voluntary standard to sequester carbon and make money for doing what’s right.
Since the earliest biblical record (Genesis 2:15), Christians have been called to tend and care for God’s creation. Many of our nation’s farmers are practicing Christians who believe in this biblical calling but have found it difficult with falling incomes and low crop prices. The Growing Climate Solutions Act provides a way for the agriculture community–especially family farms–to increase income, enrich the soil, sequester carbon, and empower American farmers as part of the climate solution. The Growing Climate Solutions Act sets up a Verifier Certification Program providing a uniform carbon measuring method that ensures farmers a fair price and an accountable carbon market.
Rep. John Curtis (UT-03) announced today the launch of the Conservative Climate Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The goal of the caucus, according to Curtis, is to create a space for Republican lawmakers to educate each other on conservative policy solutions that can reduce emissions through innovation and resources. At the time of its announcement at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, the caucus included more than 50 Republican House members.
Methane Hearing - Testimony from Rev. Mitchell C. Hescox
EPA Methane Listening Session
June 15, 2021
With its passage out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we are grateful that the Methane Congressional Review Act is one step closer to being enacted, thus allowing critical methane leak safeguards to be reinstated. We especially thank Representatives Diana DeGette of Colorado, Scott Peters of California, and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania for their leadership introducing this resolution in the House of the Representatives.
A letter signed by more than 100 evangelical leaders was sent to Members of Congress this morning, calling on them to include key climate and environmental provisions in a final infrastructure package. Since President Biden unveiled his roadmap for infrastructure spending in March, Congress has been stalled on how to translate the principles of the American Jobs Plan into legislation that can pass through the chamber. Biden has expressed his desire to strike a bipartisan deal with Republican lawmakers, but negotiations between the White House and GOP leaders have revealed fundamental differences between the two sides.
The Evangelical Environmental Network and its body of 200,000+ pro-life Christians who support a strong fugitive methane standard are grateful to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their announcement to begin the process to develop a proposed rule to reduce methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing sources in the oil and natural gas industry.
The Market Choice Act is a great start in offering a conservative market-based approach to solving the climate crisis and correcting the major market failure of our energy industry. The Evangelical Environmental Network and its over 4 million pro-life Christian supporters have long recommended a carbon fee approach to address the climate crisis. We look forward to seeing this legislation being evaluated in a Congressional Hearing and being improved upon. This bill offers potential for addressing climate change and supplying a revenue stream to defray the cost of funding a major infrastructure & climate adaptation package.
Today, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection released its CO2 Budget Trading Program Draft Final-Form Rulemaking. It’s time to account for the actual costs of pollution and make producers pay the cost of the trash and toxins they create. Coal-produced electricity costs 14.87 US cents/kWh more than we pay on our home meter and those costs are born in the hearts, lungs, minds, and lives of our children while the companies get the profit.
Following the bipartisan vote on the Congressional Review Act, we are thankful for co-sponsors Senators Collins (R-ME), Heinrich (D-NM), King (I-ME), Markey (D-MA), and my own Senator Casey (D-PA) plus the great additional backing from Senators Graham (R-SC) and Portman (R-OH) for fantastic bipartisan support for the Methane Congressional Review Act to end the Trump Administration attack on our children.
SB-119’s not so secret intent is to bury the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Bolstering this goal has been the rallying cry of by some in Harrisburg of unfair job losses in our Commonwealth. The reality is that coal plants will close in Pennsylvania, period. As the current draft RGGI standards being written by the Department of Environmental will take at least a minimum of two years to take effect, RGGI will not likely hasten coal’s demise–that’s already occurring. Back in 2015, Appalachian Power’s (WV) then-President Charles Patton said, “You just can’t go with new coal [plants] at this point in time. It is just not economically feasible to do so…. the economics of alternatives to fossil-based fuels are making inroads in the utility plan. Companies are making decisions today where they are moving away from coal-fired generation.”
We are thankful for President Biden’s ambitious climate pledge to reduce greenhouse gases between 50-52% from 2005 levels by 2030. Meeting this goal will save American lives from its corresponding fossil fuel pollution, restore American leadership in an advanced energy economy, create family-sustaining jobs, and improve the quality of life for all.
The Evangelical Environment Network, our Board of Directors, and our millions of supporters–many of whom are farmers–support The Growing Climate Solutions Act. We applaud the leadership of Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) for the bill’s introduction and the overwhelming bipartisan support of 31 U.S. Senators.
We are pleased with the reintroduction of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA) by Rep. Deutch (FL-22) and more than twenty other sponsors. EICDA and other carbon pricing proposals are a win-win for American families and the American economy: these proposals reduce carbon pollution, protect low- and middle-income families from cost increases, advance the clean energy economy, incentivize innovation, and keep American businesses competitive on the world stage.
Evangelical Environmental Network is pleased that Congress introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution today. As pro-life evangelicals, we have a special concern for the unborn. Before they take their first breath, we must ensure that all children have a healthy start, unhindered by the ravages of pollution. Central to delivering on this promise is reducing methane leaks and associated harmful emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) from methane gas production. That is why we support the introduction of CRA to end the Trump Administration’s attack on our children’s health by weakening previous EPA limits on methane new source performance standards.
Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is thankful for the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s vote to advance the nomination of Janet McCabe to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a bipartisan vote. A special thank you to Senator Wicker (R, MS) for his support of McCabe’s nomination.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds Pennsylvania’s Governor Wolf and his administration for announcing the Pennsylvania PULSE Program today. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania signing a power purchase agreement for 191 MW of solar created electricity will reduce pollution, decrease 157,000 metric tons of carbon pollution, lower electric costs by $30 million for the state government and create 400 jobs.
In this time of great economic need, the REPLANT Act will also provide critical investment to communities throughout the United States and create nearly 49,000 new American jobs over the next decade, including in rural communities hit hard by COVID-19. In short, it is a win for God’s creation, the economy, and the well-being of everyday Americans.
The EPA has begun to reestablish its mission of protecting human health and the environment today by restoring the role of science needed to address the moral imperative of addressing climate change and its threats to all God’s children across this planet.
The Evangelical Environmental Network and its base of over 4 million pro-life Christians are thankful to the United States Senate for confirming climate changemaker Michael Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency today.
Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) has opened applications for their Partners Program. EEN is looking for Christ followers who are ready to take their activism to the next level through community building, civic engagement, and faithful advocacy.
Dirty air has grave consequences for the health of our children and other vulnerable populations, like the elderly. That’s why EEN supports Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative that will apply market-based solutions to reduce the health impacts from power plant pollution, helping boost jobs and save precious lives in Pennsylvania.
EEN and 58,000 pro-life Christians call for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic Refuge is a sacred place, and pro-life Christians know that ongoing attempts to open the land to oil and gas drilling is an affront to God’s creation and Indigenous sovereignty for the Gwich’in people.
The Biden administration finally recognizes the climate crisis for what it is – a threat multiplier – and making climate considerations an essential part of foreign policy and national security.
While these early actions are a start in the right direction, the administration cannot do it alone. We call on Congress to also step up the plate and come together in a bipartisan fashion to enact lasting and durable solutions that protect God’s creation, defend life by reducing the burden of pollution and the threat of an unstable climate, and give our children a hope and expectation for a bright and healthy future.
It is time to come together and address our reality with God’s help. Confronting racism, intolerance, COVID-19, the economic crisis, and the climate crisis will be tough. These challenges impact all of God’s children, but we must create family-sustaining jobs and a brighter future.
Today, the Evangelical Environmental Network submitted 30,562 individual comments from Pennsylvania pro-life Christians to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and its Environmental Quality Board in support of the CO2 Budget Trading Program Regulations (50 Pa.B. 6212).
This moment in our public life calls for leaders who protect and defend our democratic institutions, who tell the truth and repudiate lies, who advance the common good rather than their own self-interests, and who lead with wisdom and humility. Donald Trump has shown himself more clearly than ever to be woefully ill-equipped to rise to these standards. He must go now and never hold office again.
We are calling for an end to the senseless violence and chaos at the United States Capitol today, and for President Trump to immediately cease the baseless claims of election fraud.
It’s been far too long to continue the noisy sounds of election fraud – it’s simply “fake news” and, at best, only the song of those unable to accept the defeat of their favored candidate, or at worst, those trying to subvert justice and righteousness by destroying our democracy and those words enshrined in our Pledge of Allegiance: “… one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
We need all government agencies to work together and in conjunction with American industry to create a clean energy economy that puts our families first and restores our energy leadership while defending our children’s health and even lives.
It will be our honor to work alongside Ms. McCarthy in achieving our common goals – guided by Scripture and by the moral implications of scientific findings – to overcome the climate crisis, defend our children’s health, overcome environmental racism, support a just transition for fossil fuel workers, and help create a clean energy economy that supplies family-sustaining jobs for all.
The Evangelical Environmental Network applauds Senators Braun (R-IN), Coons (D-DE), Young (R-IN), and King (I-ME) for introducing the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act. This is exactly the kind of bipartisan leadership that America needs to address climate change, defend children’s health, care for future generations, and provide meaningful employment as we overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
At EEN our mission is to inspire, equip, educate, and mobilize evangelical Christians to love God and others by rediscovering and reclaiming the Biblical mandate to care for creation and working toward a stable climate and a healthy, pollution-free world. This mission is based in Scripture, not partisan politics. EEN is committed to carrying out this biblical calling regardless of changes in political office. We look forward to working with all who take office in January 2021 for the sake of God’s creation and God’s children.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is thankful for Governor Tom Wolf’s veto of the ill designed HB 2025. HB 2025, if signed, would have stopped Pennsylvania from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and continued fossil fuel pollution’s threat to our children’s health.
It’s time for the EPA to live up to its stated mission: “to protect human health and the environment.” That requires following sound science, defending our children’s health, and putting morals above political favors.
Denying science, allowing market failures to maximize profits over children’s health, and distorting truth, makes Republicans increasingly irrelevant. As the quoted polling indicates, change is happening. Unless Republicans become real conservatives, the Republican Party will be as useful as the coal fired power plants being shuttered.
In July, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) with strong bipartisan support (310 to 107 in the House and 73 to 25 in the Senate). I am grateful to the Evangelical Environmental Network for helping to build this bipartisanship.
It’s past time for bold action on climate change. We are thankful for the Senate Special Committee on the Climate Crisis report, released today, titled "The Case for Climate Action." Addressing the climate crisis is crucial to safeguarding our families’ health and our children’s future.
I am most concerned about the long-term cost to our climate. Among myriad environmental benefits provided by the Tongass National Forest, climate scientists note the huge volumes of carbon the millions of acres of old-growth trees store. It contains massive amounts of carbon in the forest areas, much more than the Amazon on a per acre basis. The forest also helps the soil retain water and regulate river flows. The Indigenous people who live in the area rely on the wildlife for food, shelter, and their livelihood. Conventional grocery shopping is not feasible in the highly isolated region, with prices for food running two or three times more than they would in the city.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wheeler has disregarded children’s health and the very mission of the EPA yet again by eliminating methane pollution safeguards from the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, Mr. Wheeler has put the interests of corporate oil and gas polluters ahead of the health and safety of high-risk communities and our children, both born and unborn. This complete disregard for life is precisely why we opposed his nomination to the EPA and continue to oppose this Administration's deadly agenda that continues to value fossil fuel profits over life. As Christians, we know this is unbiblical and immoral.
Over 53,000 pro-life Christians have called on the Governor and the Ohio Legislature to repeal HB 6 and to reinstate strong energy efficiency and clean energy portfolio standards because they understand that a clean energy future is a pro-life future.
The Evangelical Environmental Network is pleased to announce the results of our latest petition campaign where nearly 65,000 pro-life Christians called on their Members of Congress to include clean energy, healthy jobs, and support for farmers in the next stimulus package.
Access to God’s beautiful creation and America’s great outdoors has been an incredible source of solace and healing as our nation confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuit for true and lasting racial justice. Today’s historic passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) in the House of Representatives represents a critical step toward ensuring safe and ready access to our national, state, and local parks and public lands for generations to come.
Why are we throwing our tax dollars away on a dirty, polluting industry that harms our children instead of investing in a brighter, cleaner, and healthy future for all of us? Pennsylvanians want a strong, healthy vision for our future – not a vision that keeps us living in the past. This vote doesn’t reflect our citizens beliefs, it simply ignores them.
Over the past several months, 53,000 pro-life Ohioans have signed a petition calling on Governor Mike DeWine and the members of the Ohio Legislature to transition Ohio to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030. Members of Ohio’s faith community shared information today about the importance of clean, renewable energy and what Ohio should do to embrace these efforts for the health and safety for all Ohioans.
As we begin the COVID-19 recovery, our health, our future, and our economy cannot afford the failures of the past. Instead, we must move forward together toward a brighter, cleaner, and healthy future. Together we can build a vibrant and healthy Pennsylvania for all.
Addressing the climate crisis is crucial to safeguard our families’ health and children’s future. Without bold action, more and more communities across the United States will continue to be hit with more intense extreme weather, farther-reaching wildfires, and hotter and longer-lasting heat waves. The consequences of these devastating events have a long-lasting impact on lives, livelihoods, and local economies.
By simply protecting God’s creation, we can get up to 37% of the way needed to avoid dangerous levels of global warming. Conserving and restoring blue carbon ecosystems, such as wetlands, estuaries, and tidal marshes, is particularly critical for keeping communities resilient in the face of extreme weather and ensuring a healthy, safe, and stable future for our children.
For many, the best place to seek freedom, healing, and peace is amid God’s creation. GAOA restores the majestic wonder of our national parks and public lands, provides much needed resources to be better stewards of our natural resources, and also creates critical jobs during this economically uncertain time. With the Senate passage of the GAOA, we also see the results of bipartisan action at its best.
As our country responds and seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great American Outdoors Act provides critical investment to communities throughout the United States, creates sustainable and immediate jobs in a time of great economic need, and protects and preserves unique and irreplaceable places in God’s creation.
Years of deferred maintenance have left our National Parks and other public lands with deteriorating infrastructure and crumbling trails, roads, and visitor centers. By establishing the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Fund, the Great American Outdoors Act ensures safe access to the healing benefits and sacred experience of God’s creation for our children today and for generations to come. Immediate, shovel-ready jobs restoring our Parks’ aging infrastructure and preserving the natural beauty of God’s creation will provide a desperately needed economic boost to communities and workers across America.
The Growing Climate Solutions Act provides a way for the agricultural community, especially family farms, to increase income, enrich soil, sequester carbon, and to be empowered as part of the climate solution.
As pro-life Christians, defending children’s health remains at the core of who we are. That’s why we are pleased that Pennsylvania’s Department of Environment Protection just released its standard for Control of VOC Emissions from Oil and Natural Gas Sources for public comment.
In times such as these, we need to move forward, not backward. That’s why we are disappointed in some members of our Pennsylvania Legislature who are so clearly unmoved by our dismal air and water quality that threatens children's health today and tomorrow. These members are preventing us from moving forward to a clean, healthy future.
President Donald Trump and his Administration claim to be pro-life, but their actions time and again prove otherwise. Today, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler has completely disregarded his agency’s mission of protecting human health by finalizing his dangerous plan to alter the lifesaving Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS).
With this rollback, the Trump Administration continues to lie about its dangerous and harmful environmental policies. In true Orwellian fashion, an EPA spokesperson said this gutting of fuel economy standards will reduce pollution, increase fuel economy, and make vehicles more affordable. It will do the exact opposite.
Let’s work together for the good of all Pennsylvanians by dealing with the social and economic impact of the Coronavirus first and then working together in a bipartisan way to incentivize good paying jobs that don’t threaten our children’s lives.
Senators Portman (R-OH), Warner (D-VA), Gardner (R-CO), Manchin (D-WV) and Daines (R-MT) introduced an important bill that would address the growing National Park Service deferred maintenance backlog and provide full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It is well past time to restore and repair our national parks and we are thankful for the leadership of these Senators!
As the majority of U.S. Citizens now recognize the need for robust climate action, this is a step forward as we pray for the Senate and Congress to follow the lead of Americans and provide vigorous climate, energy, and advanced technology research policy.
The Trump Administration is at it again. They’re trying to severely undermine one of our nation’s most important environmental laws, the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA. Every law, every policy can be improved. But when it comes to creation-care policies we certainly don’t trust the Trump Administration to do it!
Overall, this bill is good news for our climate and all of God’s bountiful creation. We are thankful for Senators Portman, Udall, and Stabenow and encourage Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation.
Pennsylvania is the third-largest greenhouse gas polluting state and the second-largest producer of natural gas in the country at a time when the Environmental Protection Agency has recently moved to eliminate the direct regulation of oil and natural gas production. Pennsylvania has a clear moral obligation to control its emissions.
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is pleased to support the bipartisan RECYCLE Act proposed by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The RECYCLE Act, which stands for “Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education,” authorizes and instructs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a grant program for communities to improve their recycling programs via education and outreach.
