Senate Environmental Caucus Co-Chairs Welcome Development of Historic National Economic Transition Platform for Coal Country

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tom Carper (D-DE), co-founders of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the National Economic Transition (NET) Platform published by local, regional and national organizations today to give policymakers recommendations for an ambitious national transition program that supports the people and places hit hardest by our changing energy landscape.

“As our national conversation continues to focus on economic development and the climate crisis, this platform gives leaders important information that we need to help address the challenges facing coal communities by sharing solutions that local leaders have helped to develop. We applaud the significant work put into this platform and look forward to ensuring policies that help these communities and their economies are put into action.”

The Environmental Justice Caucus calls Congress’ attention to the many environmental justice issues affecting our nation. For too long, and far too often, communities of color, Indigenous communities and low-income communities have borne the brunt of our environmental burdens, which can lead to public health, pollution and economic injustices. Since it launched in April 2019, the caucus has focused on raising awareness, advancing legislation, conducting oversight and speaking loudly for communities that for far too long have been disproportionately impacted by polluting industries.

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