Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy and the Environment
Durbin Meets With U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan About Region 5 Priorities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan to discuss Durbin's priorities for EPA's Region 5, which includes Illinois. On the call, Durbin followed up on his March request that EPA update the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) using the best available science and that any stakeholder outreach include Chicago or Illinois to ensure that all Illinoisans have access to clean, lead-free water. … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Durbin: Equity In Great Lakes Restoration Initiative A Key Part Of Protecting Our Lake
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Alliance for the Great Lakes and State Representative Kam Buckner (D-26) in Chicago to discuss efforts to prioritize historically marginalized and underserved communities in projects to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Durbin is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take concrete steps to prioritize low-income and communities of color within the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) - an inter-agency … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider Introduce Bill To Update Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) introduced a bicameral bill that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards to reflect the stricter criteria outlined in a 2016 EPA study. Under the bill, any updates to the emissions standards would have to incorporate the maximum achievable control technology requirements to … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues To Support Endless Frontier Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today encouraged his Senate colleagues to support the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, the broader competitiveness package and substitute amendment to the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act. The legislation represents the largest investment in U.S. science and technology leadership since the Apollo era. It will authorize more than $100 billion over five years to support breakthrough … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin Joins Colleagues In Introducing Electrifying America's Future Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 14 Senate Democrats in introducing the Electrifying America's Future Resolution to advance the vision of widespread electrification across every sector of American life. "As we experience the disastrous effects of climate change, we know we must invest in cleaner forms of energy," said Durbin. "With the Electrifying America's Future Resolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to building more … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin, Quigley, Rubio, & Duckworth Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Map Urban Flooding & Help FEMA Better Assess Risks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021. The bill would enhance the mapping of urban flooding to prevent associated damage and help give cities and towns the tools they need to address flooding on the a local level. "Climate change … Continue Reading
May 10, 2021
Durbin Introduces America's Red Rock Wilderness Act To Protect National Parks & Monuments
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act today to protect 8.4 million acres of land in Utah that is rich in archaeological resources and home to numerous rare plant and animal species. These landscapes are also the access point for many national parks and offer unparalleled research, educational, and recreational opportunities for scientists, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and American families. "With the America's Red Rock … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Durbin Introduces Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act To Address Pollution In Great Lakes
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined officials from the Shedd Aquarium and the Alliance for the Great Lakes to announce the introduction of the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Durbin Marks Earth Day In Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor to mark Earth Day, the planet's largest annual civic event. Durbin discussed President Biden's Earth Day Leaders Summit, the President's pledge to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emission by at least 50 percent by 2030, and the importance of global collaboration to combat the impacts of climate change. "With this Earth Day Leaders Summit, President Biden is sending the world a clear message. The United States … Continue Reading
April 19, 2021
Durbin Reintroduces Bill To Make Cahokia Mounds A National Historic Park
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced his bill to designate the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site as a National Historic Park. Durbin's bill, which would elevate the site beyond its current designation as a National Historic Landmark, will offer additional protections for the ancient mounds in St. Clair and Madison counties along with Sugarloaf Mound in St. Louis - the city's only remaining mound. "Cahokia Mounds is an important natural, archeological, … Continue Reading
April 12, 2021
Durbin, Senators Call On Department Of Interior To Restore Grand Staircase-Escalante And Bears Ears National Monuments
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), wrote to the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to express their strong support for President Biden's restoration of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and restoration and consideration of expanding the Bears Ears … Continue Reading
April 09, 2021
Durbin Discusses Sewer Improvements With Centreville Residents, Local Officials
CENTREVILLE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the ongoing sewage and flooding problems that have impacted the Centreville area for decades with residents, local leaders, and people involved in projects to make critical infrastructure improvements. "The chronic wastewater flooding issues that have impacted Centreville have led to serious problems for residents and are a threat to public health," Durbin said. "I will continue to work with state and local leaders to identify … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Durbin Discusses Climate Solutions at Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing titled: "Farmers and Foresters: Opportunities to Lead in Tackling Climate Change." During the hearing, Durbin shared his interest in learning more about how the agriculture community is working to reduce carbon emissions and how that can be integrated with federal policies. Durbin also introduced John Reifsteck, CEO of GROWMARK in Bloomington, … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Durbin Introduces Bill to Invest in a Clean Climate Future and Spur Job Creation
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the introduction of America's Clean Future Fund Act, a bill that would spur job creation by investing in a clean energy economy. The bill would achieve critical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, facilitate a fair transition for workers from declining energy sectors, and renew America's commitment to remain a world leader in technology, innovation, and a sustainable future. The bill also would provide $50 billion … Continue Reading
March 08, 2021
Durbin, Bipartisan Colleagues Call on USDA to Assist Biofuels Industry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, along with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and seven Senate colleagues, today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the department to assist biofuel producers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have been advocating for targeted relief for the biofuels industry since last spring when we were … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Durbin, Senators to E-Commerce Companies: Reduce Plastic Use in Your Packaging to Protect Environment
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today sent a letter to Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Home Depot, Target, Wayfair, Best Buy, and Costco - the largest e-commerce companies in America - urging them to reduce the amount of plastic used in their packaging. Last month, Oceana published a report that Amazon was responsible for 465 million pounds of plastic packaging waste last … Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Durbin Discusses Environmental Protection and Justice with Michael Regan, Biden Nominee for EPA Administrator
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Michael Regan, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During their Zoom call, Durbin and Regan discussed Illinois environmental priorities and climate change, and spoke about the importance of not just reversing Trump Administration roll backs of EPA rules, but pursuing an aggressive agenda that addresses climate change and protects communities that have long-suffered from … Continue Reading
January 15, 2021
Durbin Discusses Protecting National Parks and Monuments with Rep. Deb Haaland, Biden Nominee for Secretary of Interior
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM-01), President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Interior. During their Zoom call, Durbin and Haaland discussed the importance of restoring and protecting National Parks and Monuments, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante Monuments, which were reduced by 85 percent by the Trump Administration. Durbin also spoke to Haaland about his bill that would protect the Cahokia … Continue Reading
October 08, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues Call For Inclusion Of PFAs Provisions In Final FY21 NDAA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in leading a bipartisan letter on behalf of 19 other Senators today to Senate and House Armed Services Committee leadership urging the inclusion of several provisions in the final fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent and address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The NDAA is the annual … Continue Reading
October 02, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3.2 Million In FEMA Reimbursement For Flooding Recovery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois has been awarded a total of $3,248,722 in federal funding to offset costs related to the historic flooding that occurred from February 24 to July 3, 2019. The funding, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation to help cover the costs of emergency response and flooding prevention efforts in Springfield. "I saw firsthand the … Continue Reading