Environment
Western New Yorkers know too well the painful costs of pollution and other forms of environmental degradation and neglect. Over 30 years ago the Buffalo River was declared biologically dead and ecologically destroyed, and only through a persistent restoration effort was it remediated and shows vastly improved water quality. Brian believes that we must learn from this history to prevent the recurrence of environmental disasters like Love Canal and Tonawanda Coke in our district. His work in Washington, D.C. focuses on the conservation and care for the many precious natural resources here in Western New York. From the Great Lakes, to our waterways, to our parks and natural public spaces, Brian is fighting to ensure the federal policies enacted in Congress help to support a healthy environment and protect those most vulnerable to pollution and exposure to hazardous substances. To achieve these goals of preservation, Brian has been a strong supporter of federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Water Resources Development Act.
More on Environment
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced he is an original cosponsor of the Low Income Heating Improvement Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Tom Reed (NY-29) and also cosponsored by Congressmembers Kathy Hochul (NY-26) and Louise Slaughter (NY-28), to ensure that Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funds are directed first to cold-weather states.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) took to the Floor of the House of Representatives to oppose a move that will slash heating assistance for seniors this winter. Last week Higgins sent a letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services & Education calling for cuts to be restored. He is also joining his colleagues on the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition in opposition to the Home En
Today West Side Neighborhood Housing Services announced that it was awarded a $280,000 affordable housing grant to help low- and moderate-income homeowners make needed, energy-efficient repairs to their homes. West Side Neighborhood Housing Services (West Side NHS) is one of 115 local NeighborWorks organizations to receive $34.9 million in Capital Funding for the Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing (CFRAH) grants to rehabilitate or finance the rehabilitation of affordable housing nationwide.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) welcomed news that the administration will release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and an additional 30 million barrels will be released from the International Energy Agency. In April Higgins joined 16 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the President calling for the action to relieve consumers facing rising gas prices.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined leaders from WNY AmeriCorps and students participating in the agency’s YouthBuild program to announce a new $1,087,819 federal grant for the organization.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and U.S. Small Business Administrator Karen Mills toured EcoStar, LLC., a clean energy small business located in Holland, NY. Higgins and Mills joined Edwin Staroba, General Manager of EcoStar, to highlight the important role that small businesses play in clean energy manufacturing.
Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted against the FY 2011 Continuing Budget Resolution (H.R. 1), which makes severe cuts to dozens of programs that directly impact the economic stability of Western New York.
Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that New York will receive an additional $196.5 million in Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) block grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Including this sum, in total New York will have received $473 million to help seniors and residents afford heating bills this winter.
Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced approval of H.R. 5809, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), bipartisan legislation which reauthorizes a diesel emissions reduction program for five years, encouraging production of clean-diesel technology and supporting local jobs.