In the News
Progressives call on Biden to repeal Willow approval
by Andres Picon
Progressive lawmakers Thursday continued their campaign against a controversial oil and gas project in Alaska, urging the Biden administration to repeal the project approval it granted last month. In a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and 30 other Democrats wrote that they had “serious concerns” about Interior’s approval of ConocoPhillips Co.’s Willow project on … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wide range of concerns discussed during Thompson, Huffman Santa Rosa town hall
by Jeremy Hay
A Wednesday night town hall featuring Sonoma County’s two congressmen, U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman, was animated by a broad range of constituent concerns that ranged from gun violence to the war in Ukraine, the health of the salmon fishery to tax relief for victims of wildfires. On the topic of gun control, one person in the audience asked the Democrats to “get a little stronger to get automatic weapons off our streets.” “It’s an absolute epidemic … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Calif. lawmakers request emergency help for salmon fishery
by Alex Hargrave
E&E NEWS PM | Members of California's congressional delegation on Tuesday asked the Biden administration to declare a disaster in response to the cancellation of this year’s chinook salmon fishery. The lawmakers joined Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in requesting relief for people whose livelihoods rely on salmon fishing. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo led by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), the House and Senate members said some … Continue Reading
April 11, 2023
Jared Huffman seeks disaster aid after salmon fishery closure
by Sage Alexander
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) has co-authored a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo asking for a federal declaration of fishery disaster. This comes after the Pacific Fishery Management Council closed the 2023 salmon season in California because of low counts of salmon. In an interview last month, Tim Klassen of Reel Steel fishing in Eureka said federal relief from another fishery disaster took three years to be distributed. “They … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Reps. Mike Thompson, Jared Huffman to hold joint Santa Rosa town hall
by Staff
Sonoma County’s two congressmen, Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman, have invited constituents to a town hall meeting they are holding Wednesday night in Santa Rosa. The congressmen plan to discuss their work in Congress and take questions from participants. The 6:30 p.m. meeting will be held at the Cleveland Avenue offices of Redwood Credit Union. Those planning to attend in person are asked to RSVP by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The proceedings also will be streamed on … Continue Reading
April 07, 2023
‘Fear and panic’ in California fishing community after salmon season closed
by Claire Hao
The California fishing community called for speedy federal relief to those impacted by a full closure of recreational and commercial salmon fishing along the California coast this season at a press conference Friday. They were joined by state officials and prominent politicians, including U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Gov. Gavin Newsom requested a federal fishery disaster declaration from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Thursday, which would provide expedited relief … Continue Reading
April 07, 2023
Huffman Visits Future Site of Life Plan Humboldt
by Redheaded Blackbelt Staff
On Tuesday, April 4, Congressman Jared Huffman joined leaders and supporters of Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) at the future site of the life plan community south of Hiller Rd in McKinleyville. Dr. Ann Lindsey, the president of Life Plan Humboldt, welcomed the Congressman and his Humboldt staffer, John Driscoll, along with several LPH board members, ambassadors, and volunteers. Greg Pierson, the property manager, participated in the gathering. Walking the site, Congressman Huffman noted the value … Continue Reading
April 07, 2023
California's North Coast, with Congress Huffman
Fish Water People podcast host and CalTrout Executive Director Curtis Knight sits down with Congressman Jared Huffman to talk Governor Newsom’s Executive Order in the delta, the Potter Valley hydroelectric project, restoration work at Redwood Creek, the Yurok Tribe, California condors, and so much more. How do all of these topics intertwine with CalTrout’s work? We journey through the redwoods to find out. Congressman Huffman weighs in with his district’s perspective, and … Continue Reading
April 06, 2023
Huffman announces $65.9 million for Trinity River Hatchery upgrades
by Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced $65.9 million has been awarded to modernize and repair the Trinity River Hatchery in the northern part of his district.This project is one of 83 projects in 11 states that was selected as part of a nearly $585 million investment from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve water conveyance and storage, increase safety, improve hydropower generation and provide water treatment.The Trinity River Hatchery … Continue Reading
April 05, 2023
EPA sends California $391 million for drinking water infrastructure upgrades
by Tom Joyce
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week that California will receive $391,500,000 for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The fund received a $6 billion boost because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency is making more funding available for states to improve their water infrastructure. “Every community deserves access to safe, clean … Continue Reading
April 03, 2023
‘Game changer’: USDA funding coming for three local fire safety projects
by SAGE ALEXANDER
Three Humboldt County fire defense projects will soon see $8 million. These dollars will be a “game changer,” said Shelter Cove Fire Chief Nick Pape. “We are one way in one way out community. Shelter Cove Road, basically, is our evacuation route,” said Pape. One escape route, large amounts of fire fuels and steep terrain means Shelter Cove is at high risk for forest fires. Over $6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be granted to Shelter Cove to … Continue Reading
March 31, 2023
Why Republicans suddenly hate offshore wind
by Kelsey Brugger & Nico Portuondo
In the weeks before their massive energy package reached the House floor, some Republicans were aghast about marine mammal deaths — and blamed the burgeoning offshore wind industry. They said the rush to build out offshore wind in the Atlantic has been killing whales at a rapid clip and they tried to use the legislation to address their concerns. “Like the canary in the coal mine, the recent spate of tragic whale deaths shed new light and increased scrutiny to the fast-tracking … Continue Reading
March 29, 2023
NOAA Urged to Expand Seafood Import Monitoring Program
by staff
Three U.S. House of Representatives members are calling on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand and update the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), and are advocating as well for SIMP expansion to all species. Rep. Jared Huffman, ranking member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Resource Ranking Member Raul Grijalva of Arizona and Jimmy Panetta, also of California, led a letter to NOAA commenting on what they … Continue Reading
March 29, 2023
House panels debate water storage, public land bills
by Jonathan Miller
House Natural Resources Committee lawmakers clashed Tuesday on how best to salvage dwindling water resources in the drought-stricken West. They also weighed a roster of public land bills. During a hearing of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Republicans said the Biden administration is part of the problem on water storage. A memo released by GOP leaders ahead of the hearing blamed the administration for “opposing some new storage or handcuffing new or expanded … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Nashville shooting: Biden raises pressure on GOP to take action on guns
by Ales Gangitano & Mike Lillis
The White House is blaming Republicans in Congress for the lack of action on guns, turning up the heat on the GOP to address rampant gun violence while appealing to voters fed up with America’s epidemic of mass shootings. President Biden is focusing his anger over the elementary school shooting in Nashville this week squarely on Republicans, calling for lawmakers to show courage and warning that Congress will have to answer to families that have lost loved ones through … Continue Reading
March 24, 2023
Progressive Caucus puts marker on permitting reform
by Emma Dumain
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is elevating its efforts to promote the group's climate priorities, as Democrats are collectively grappling with how to navigate the debate over permitting reform. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) will lead a new CPC task force on “Accelerating Clean Energy,” which will undertake the development of a “blueprint” for how to implement provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. "The task … Continue Reading
March 16, 2023
Where Biden’s Arctic oil strategy may succeed — or fail
by Heather Richards
The Biden administration promised this week to ink new protections against oil drilling in the Arctic in an apparent counter to approval of ConocoPhillips’ Willow oil project. But will the administration’s plan help curb the industry’s future expansion in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska as the White House claims? And is it a winning political strategy for President Joe Biden? Many observers are skeptical, and industry sees an oil revival for public lands in the far … Continue Reading
March 14, 2023
Senate vote against Biden water rule likely this week
by E.A. Crunden
The Capitol Hill battle over the Biden administration's most significant water regulation could come to a head this week. Senators are moving closer to taking up a resolution of disapproval striking at President Joe Biden's waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule that lays out which water bodies merit federal protection. Republican sponsors are likely to have some success, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) already on the record as supporting the measure. Another ally could come in the form … Continue Reading
March 13, 2023
Fellow Dems Say Willow Approval Leaves 'Oil Stain' on Biden Climate Legacy
by Jessica Corbett
Progressives on Capitol Hill joined climate advocates and Indigenous leaders across the country Monday in blasting U.S. President Joe Biden for his administration's approval of ConocoPhillips' Willow oil project on federal land in Alaska. "The Biden administration has committed to fighting climate change and advancing environmental justice—today's decision to approve the Willow project fails to live up to those promises," declared U.S. Sen. Ed … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
CO2 pipeline build-out generates bipartisan House interest
by Jeremy Dillon
Lawmakers on a House panel found some consensus Wednesday on the operation and safety of carbon dioxide pipelines, as Congress seeks to reauthorize the agency responsible for the nation's pipeline network. The bipartisan interest at a Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing comes as backers of carbon capture argue that CO2 pipeline infrastructure may need to grow as much as five times its existing footprint in order to meet the needs to more fully deploy the technology and move … Continue Reading