During West Coast Tour, Secretary Haaland Highlights the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Investments in Tackling the Climate Crisis
WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland traveled to California and Nevada as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Building a Better America” tour. During her week-long trip, Secretary Haaland highlighted how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help local, state and Tribal communities tackle the climate crisis while creating good-paying union jobs, advancing environmental justice and boosting local economies. During the trip, Secretary Haaland also highlighted the America the Beautiful initiative’s efforts to conserve, protect, and increase access to public lands and urban green spaces.
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In San Diego, Secretary Haaland Highlights Initiatives to Increase Conservation, Expand Outdoor Access
Secretary Haaland highlighted Interior’s efforts to conserve, protect, and increase access to public lands and urban green spaces in San Diego, Calif. During the visit, Secretary Haaland also discussed how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help tackle the climate crisis and protect communities by making once-in-a-generation investments in our nation’s physical and natural systems.
NBC San Diego: ‘Outdoor Access for All' to Allow Underserved Communities Access to Outdoor Spaces in California
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and other state and local officials laid out a new initiative called "Outdoor Access for All" that will make it possible for those in the most underserved communities to have equitable access to outdoor space, close to home. California has up to 280 state parks, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, and 4,500 miles of trails. These state parks are for everyone, but barriers to park access still exist. "By fostering long-term partnerships with these communities, city parks and other urban green spaces are working to ensure that every community has a meaningful chance to build a mutually beneficial relationship with the surrounding wildlife and its habitats," said Haaland.
San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego County to receive $25M for local parks
California will receive more than $500 million in grant funding for new parks and environmental conservation, officials announced Wednesday, and some $25 million will go toward disadvantaged communities throughout San Diego County. At a news conference in San Ysidro, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and other state and local leaders met with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to announce the initiative, which aims to expand outdoor opportunities in underserved communities. Haaland said about 80 percent of Americans live in or near cities, and urban green spaces allow residents access to nature and outdoor recreation, while also boosting local economies.
Secretary Haaland Discusses Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Investments in Plugging Orphan Wells and Addressing Legacy Pollution
In Los Angeles County, Calif., Secretary Haaland toured idle and orphaned wells and participated in an environmental justice roundtable to discuss the devastating and long-lasting effects of legacy pollution. According to recent estimates, more than 500,000 people in Los Angeles County live within a half mile of an active or idle oil and gas well. Secretary Haaland also joined Mayor Eric Garcetti and local Los Angeles City leaders to learn about what is being done to restore these areas for future generations.
Spectrum News: Federal government will help clean up LA's 1,300 oil wells
Hollywood may be LA’s best-known industry, but a century ago, it was oil. In the 1920s, the city was home to thousands of wells producing a quarter of the world’s petroleum. Today, 700 of those wells are still active, and another 600 have been abandoned within city limits, emitting climate-changing methane gas and polluting groundwater. “LA County has one of the highest concentrations of oil and gas wells of any city in the entire country, with some recent estimates suggesting that 500,000 people in LA live within a half mile of a well,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said Friday during a visit to Vista Hermosa Natural Park in LA, where a pair of orphaned wells two blocks from the park are still leaking. “Those wells have serious impacts on the health and wellbeing of the community and the planet.”
Daily Bulletin: LA to seek federal infrastructure bill funds to remediate orphaned oil wells
Los Angeles officials joined U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland today to discuss opportunities through the new infrastructure bill to fund the remediation of Los Angeles’ idle oil wells. There are a total of 5,000 oil wells identified statewide eligible for a portion of the $4.7 billion in remediation funding through the infrastructure bill, according to Uduak-Joe Ntuk, California’s Oil and Gas Supervisor. His agency, the California Geologic Energy Management Division, is working to submit an application for the funding. The state will be competing with about 30 other states for portions of the funds, he said. Haaland noted that Los Angeles County has “one of the highest concentrations of oil and gas wells of any city in the entire country, with some recent estimates suggesting that 500,000 people in L.A. live within half a mile of a well.”
Secretary Haaland Tours Onshore Renewable Energy Projects in Palm Springs
On Saturday, Secretary Haaland and Representative Raul Ruiz visited Palm Springs, Calif., where they toured onshore renewable energy projects in line with the Biden-Harris administration’s ambitious renewable energy goals. They visited the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm and saw other lands with the potential to be sited for future clean energy projects. They also visited areas conserved for natural and cultural resources as part of the regional planning efforts, including the Corn Springs area surrounded by the Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness.
KESQ: Interior Secretary and Rep. Raul Ruiz discuss Bipartisan Infrastructure Law effects on local communities
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz highlighted how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help local, state, and tribal communities, including California’s 36th District. Specifically in regards to climate change, job creation, environmental justice, and local economies. President Joe Biden signed a $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law in November. It is set to deliver money for roads, bridges, safe water, internet access, clean energy, and public transit.
Desert Sun: US Interior Secretary Haaland touts solar energy in desert visit
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the California desert on Saturday to promote industrial solar farms and other major renewable projects on public lands in the West. "The demand for renewable energy has never been greater," she said at a sun-splashed outdoor press briefing at the Bureau of Land Management's Palm Springs office. "The technological advances, increased interest, cost-effectiveness and tremendous economic potential make these projects a promising path for diversifying our energy portfolio."
Secretary Haaland Highlights Drought Investments in Las Vegas Visit
On Sunday, Secretary Haaland visited Las Vegas, Nev., where she, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo, and Representatives Susie Lee and Dina Titus held a listening session with local elected officials, business leaders and stakeholders to hear about the impacts that the ongoing drought crisis is having on their communities. Secretary Haaland also highlighted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic $8.3 billion investment in water infrastructure and drought resilience that will fund water efficiency and recycling programs, rural water projects, and WaterSMART grants to ensure that irrigators, Tribes, and adjoining communities receive adequate assistance and support.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Interior secretary highlights new drought-fighting measures
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Sunday touted a recently signed $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, saying the law makes a historic investment in water and drought resilience. During a visit to Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Haaland said the new law will pay for water efficiency and recycling programs, rural water projects and grants, among other things. But she also recognized the need to do more, saying her department is committed to protecting water resources not only during times of drought, but every day.
KSNV: Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland wraps 'Building a Better America' tour in Las Vegas
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland wrapped her week-long tour of the west coast in Las Vegas, where she was joined by reps Susie Lee and Dina Titus. As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Building a Better America” tour, Secretary Haaland visited Palm Springs, California over the weekend before arriving in Las Vegas on Sunday. The tour is meant to highlight the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its effort to help communities across the nation tackle the climate crisis by investing in a clean energy economy and addressing the worsening drought crisis.
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