Bustos Submitted the Rural Green Partnership to the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in August
Yesterday, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) testified before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on the importance of including rural America in the discussion about how to address climate change. Specifically, she spoke about her Rural Green Partnership and the enormous amount of potential rural America offers to both address the climate crisis and create economic opportunity. In August, Congresswoman Bustos submitted the Rural Green Partnership – which is a framework of principles and policies to combat climate change and spur economic growth – to the Select Committee.
“Families in Northwest and Central Illinois deserve a seat at the table as we tackle the climate crisis,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “As the national and global debate continues, we cannot overlook the wealth of resources offered by rural areas, but instead we must recognize how regions like mine can be a part of the solution. If we do this right, we can both turn back a chaotic climate and spur economic growth in rural America. That’s why I took the concerns of my region to Washington and submitted the Rural Green Partnership. I was pleased to present this perspective to the committee and hope it will be included in their final set of public recommendations.”
Click HERE for photos.
Click HERE to read the full text of the Rural Green Partnership.
BACKGROUND
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis was authorized by House Resolution 6 on January 9, 2019 to acknowledge the threat of climate change and publish a set of public recommendations by March 31, 2020. Its members include experts in environmental justice, coastal flooding, clean energy development and other issues that are vital for addressing the climate crisis.
Congresswoman Bustos submitted the Rural Green Partnership to the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis following many discussions with stakeholders across Illinois. This year, Congresswoman Bustos continued to meet with generations of farm families – like her own – as they battled unprecedented flooding and weather, along with a reckless trade war. Farmers routinely expressed that this year’s conditions are unlike any they have ever seen, with flooded fields or crops arriving late – stunted or not at all. However, rural communities offer enormous potential to tackle climate change, which Congresswoman Bustos outlines in this proposal and underscored before the Select Committee.
The Rural Green Partnership has garnered statements of support from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Environmental Defense Fund, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Utility Workers Union of America.
***Report Courtesy of the Office of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos***
