Environment

DelBene, Schiff, Huffman, Feinstein Push Science-Based Care Standards for Captive Whales, Dolphins

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) led a group of 19 lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack calling on the federal government to update standards of care for captive marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, to better reflect the best available science.…

DelBene Secures Clean Aviation Wins in House FAA Reauthorization

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) celebrated House passage of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that includes provisions she championed to decarbonize the aviation industry through greater adoption of hydrogen-powered aircraft. “Transportation is responsible for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making transitioning to…

DelBene Urges Relocation of Oldest Captive Orca Ahead of Hurricane Season

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is urging immediate action to ensure the safety of Tokitae – also known as Lolita – the world’s oldest captive orca who has lived at the Miami Seaquarium since she was captured from the Puget Sound in 1970. “We urge you to expeditiously explore all available options, in both the short-term and long-term, to ensure Tokitae’s safety,” the…

DelBene Announces $33.5M for King Co. Battery-Powered Buses

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that King County Metro Transit will receive $33.5 million to buy approximately 30 battery-powered electric buses and associated charging equipment and train workers to maintain the electric fleet. This funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law and will convert 27 bus routes that serve low-income communities and expand the…

KUOW: Retired Alaska Airlines turboprop to get new life as 'world's largest' hydrogen-powered plane

| Posted in In the News

Alaska Airlines ceremonially handed over a surplus turboprop airliner on Monday to a company that aims to turn it into the largest hydrogen-powered plane yet to fly. The event at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, attracted prominent politicians and a throng of students interested in aviation in a sign of the current buzz around hydrogen fuel as a means to decarbonize air…

Everett Herald: ‘Zero Emissions’: New breed of plane gets spotlight at Paine Field

| Posted in In the News

 Keys to city, keys to the car. It’s not every day someone is handed the keys to a commercial airplane, but that’s what happened Monday at Paine Field. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci turned over the keys to a 76-seat Bombardier Q400 to Val Miftakhov, CEO of ZeroAvia. The big turboprop, tail number N441QX, is a former Alaska Airlines commercial passenger plane. Now painted blue…

DelBene Statement on Passage of House GOP’s Default on America Act

| Posted in Press Releases

WATCH: DelBene decries Republican ruse on House floor Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans’ Default on America Act. “Instead of taking any meaningful steps forward, House Republicans’ MAGA wish list only brings us closer to a first-in-history federal…

DelBene Introduces Bill to Accelerate Decarbonization of Larger Commercial Vehicles

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced legislation that would help accelerate the decarbonization of planes, ships, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The Transportation Innovation Coordination Act would expand the scope of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to coordinate federal efforts around decarbonizing these larger commercial vehicles. Transportation is…

Everett Herald: At USDA undersecretary stop in Snohomish, farmers bemoan red tape

| Posted in In the News

What does a rural community look like? In Nebraska, it can be out in the middle of nowhere. In Western Washington, it might be within a few miles of a big city. Lawmakers, particularly those at the federal level, can struggle with the definition of rural. One cure is to hit the road and take a look. Xochitl Torres Small, undersecretary for rural development with the U.S. Department of…

DelBene Welcomes News that Long-Captive PNW Orca Being Freed

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on the announcement that Tokitae, the world’s oldest captive orca that was ripped from her family in the Salish Sea, will be freed from the Miami Seaquarium. “The Puget Sound never gave up on a better future for Tokitae and we all celebrate the news that she is being released from the Miami Seaquarium after more…