Happy Earth Day, Delaware!

Dear Friend,

I’m writing to you on one of my favorite days of the year — Earth Day! Back in 1970, I joined my fellow Americans to celebrate our nation’s very first Earth Day. Since then, our world has changed a lot – now, we have the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and bedrock environmental laws to protect our planet. But, there’s still much to do to address climate change. Fortunately, we can do something about our warming world. And, we are!

Last Congress, we passed the most transformative infrastructure legislation since the advent of the interstate system — the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This law included historic investments in our nation’s highways, bridges, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, electric vehicle charging, ecosystem restoration and recycling. Not long after that, Democrats passed the most consequential clean energy legislation for our planet’s future — the Inflation Reduction Act. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which I am privileged to chair, played a vital role in crafting these laws.

And thanks to the Biden Administration and its work to implement these laws, we are beginning to get closer to meeting our climate goals. Just last month, the EPA announced that they will be taking historic steps to rein in emissions from the cars, trucks and vans we drive each day. You may wonder, why is this a big deal? Well, the transportation sector happens to be the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. economy. This new rule from the EPA will not only drive down emissions, but it will also protect public health and save consumers money. That’s what I call a win-win-win!

This Congress, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is continuing the work to protect our environment and address climate change. Our committee has passed several bipartisan bills to protect our planet, including the ADVANCE Act, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act, the PROVE IT Act, the WILD Act, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, just to name a few!

Some of you may remember that last year, I announced my decision not to run for reelection at the end of this Congress. Between now and high noon on January 3rd, 2025, I have every intention of running through the tape by continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance legislation to protect our one and only planet.

I often say every day should be Earth Day, so it brings me much joy when the opportunity rolls around once a year to say, Happy Earth Day! The best is yet to come!

Sincerely, 

Tom Carper

P.S. My fellow colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and I are celebrating Earth Day the best way we know how — through song! Check out our playlist here.