Energy and Environment
Air Quality Report
Poor air quality continues to be a major problem in the Inland Empire and poses a major health threat to residents. In the Inland Empire, poor air quality continues to be a persistent problem due to increased transportation traffic and vehicle emissions due to the high concentration of warehousing. I presented a report which details the air quality conditions in California’s 39th Congressional District, the health and economic impacts on local residents, and potential policy solutions.
Read the full air quality report here.
Inflation Reduction Act
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law, making it the single largest investment for clean energy and combatting climate change in American history. The IRA aims to cut carbon emissions up to 40 percent by 2030 through accelerating a clean energy transition that will lower energy costs for Americans. One major way this legislation is encouraging a clean energy transition are tax credits and rebates to help families across the country electrify their homes and vehicles. Additionally, the IRA includes billions of dollars to reduce air pollution from the transportation sector, a major pollutant in our community. I was proud to vote yes when this legislation passed the House of Representatives.
Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most serious threats we face as a global community. Greenhouse gas emissions have grown significantly since the Industrial Revolution, leading to an unprecedented rise in average global temperatures. From changes in weather patterns, to an unprecedented increase in droughts, floods, and superstorms, we have seen the effects of climate change firsthand. We must do more to combat the effects of climate change.
I am proud to support the Green New Deal, a comprehensive and ambitious proposal to achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050. I am committed to bold, progressive reforms to cut carbon emissions, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and foreign oil, and invest in green energy alternatives.
Renewable Energy
Developing cheap, clean energy is crucial to reducing emissions from fossil fuels and combatting climate change. I am proud that the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law both include major provisions to promote clean energy deployment through clean energy production and investment tax credits and deploying research hubs for next generation technologies including hydrogen. As Californians, we have been at the forefront of promoting energy efficiency and fostering renewable sources of energy. The Inland Empire is uniquely situated to take advantage of both wind and abundant sunlight. I will be monitoring the implementation of both the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that the Inland Empire is well positioned to benefit from this transformational legislation.
I also believe that battery energy storage is the future of renewable energy – clean energy sources, like wind and solar, must be complemented with long-duration energy storage to increase their reliability and remove our dependence on fossil fuels. Robust energy storage makes our national grid more resilient from natural disasters and extreme weather events. I was proud to introduce the Battery Storage Innovation Act to support the development of the battery storage industry and am Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Advanced Energy Storage Caucus.
Click here to learn more about Congressman Takano’s Battery Storage Innovation Act
Energy and Environment Community Project Funding Secured
Under revised guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for projects in their community each fiscal year – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding.
WWRF PFAS Treatment and Prevention Project - Phase 2, $3.92 million (FY2023)
Funding would be used for the planning, design, and construction of Phase 2 of the Western Water Recycling Facility (WWRF) PFAS Treatment and Prevention Project. Specifically, phase 2 will use the requested $3,920,000 to design, repair, and seal 80-year-old MARB sewer lines based on priority and degree of degradation that are being infiltrated with PFAS chemicals from years of aqueous fire-fighting foam at MARB.
Well 56 PFAS Removal Project, $3.6 million (FY 2023)
Funding would be used to construct a facility to restore safe and clean drinking water supplies and protect the environment by removing harmful PFAS chemicals from drinking water.
Northside Regional Agriculture Innovation Center, $2.65 million (FY 2023)
Funding would be used to provide critical equipment and instrumentation needed to make operational two of the learning sections of the proposed agriculture regional training center. Specifically, the requested funds will be used to outfit two large solar greenhouses with instrumentation and equipment needed to deliver non-credit education, workforce training and entrepreneurial programs in sustainable, controlled environment, and high-tech agriculture.
Kelvar and Wolfskill Acquisition Project, $3 million (FY 2022)
The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) requests funding for the Kelvar and Wolfskill Acquisition Project to acquire six parcels of land within CD 41 and the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) area for purposes of habitat conservation. The parcels were presented to RCA by The Conservation Fund as an opportunity for acquisition. The Kelvar and Wolfskill properties include 745 acres located in the Badlands of unincorporated Riverside County, adjacent to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land conserved between State Route 60 and the intersection of Gilman Springs Road and Alessandro Boulevard.
Mead Valley Water Booster Station Replacement Project, $1 million (FY 2022)
The Mead Valley Water Booster Station is located approximately 1,400 feet west of the intersection of Decker Road and Cajalco Road in the City of Perris and conveys water supply from the Cajalco Pressure Zone to the Mead Valley Pressure Zone. The facility, constructed in 1964, is nearing the end of its useful life. This project aims to replace the Mead Valley Water Booster station as it nears the end of its useful life.