Latest Releases
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Peter Welch Introduce Bill to Increase Energy Efficiency Capabilities Across America
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), joined by her colleague Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), introduced legislation that would boost the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy efficiency capabilities across America. Studies have estimated that a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) would save consumers over $56 billion on their energy bills and could create 400,000 jobs. “Increasing our energy efficiency is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut back on the amount of energy we use overall,” said Sen. Smith. “This bill would save families money on energy costs and build upon the good work that states are already doing, including by leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act’s unprecedented federal investment in clean energy efficient technologies.” “Vermont is proud to be a national leader in the fight against climate change—including the first statewide energy efficiency utility in the country. These efforts have transformed the way Vermonters use energy, saving billions of dollars in energy bills, creating green jobs, and eliminating millions of tons of carbon emissions in the process. The American Energy Efficiency Act builds on Vermont’s success by establishing a nationwide efficiency standard for retail electric and natural gas utilities and making efficiency upgrades more affordable for families across the country,” said Senator Welch. Specifically, the American Energy Efficiency Act would build upon state successes to establish a national energy efficiency resource standard (EERS). This bill would help all states benefit from commercial, cost-effective energy savings technologies by: You can read the full text of the bill here and view the one-pager here. ###
Statement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith on the Biden Administration’s Approval of Minnesota’s Request for Disaster Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration’s approval of Minnesota’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. “Minnesotans are struggling right now — these floods have turned people’s worlds upside down. I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Senator Smith. “Minnesota needs help, and the federal government is answering. These unlocked resources will make an important difference as communities get back on their feet and we work to rebuild.” The declaration applies to 22 counties, though that list is expected to grow as more damage estimates are completed. This week, Senators Klobuchar and Smith led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request. ###
U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on U.S. Steel Investments in Minnesota Mines
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement in response to the news that U.S. Steel will invest $150 million to build a direct reduced iron (DRI) facility in Minnesota’s Iron Range: “This is huge news for the Range, and a big deal for ensuring the long-term future of iron mining in Minnesota. As the streel industry changes, Rangers innovate.” Today’s announcement follows similar moves by Cleveland Cliffs and will help to make sure that Minnesota iron continues to play a key role in the economy going forward.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Leads U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Field Hearing on Infrastructure in Tribal Nations in Prior Lake
MINNESOTA — U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) chaired a productive field hearing for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, focusing on how Tribal Nations can utilize funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator Smith helped pass this historic investment in our country’s infrastructure last fall. The hearing was hosted by Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake. Click here to access photos from the hearing. A video of the hearing will become available here. “I was so excited to bring this field hearing to Minnesota to take a firsthand look at how the work we do in Washington can have
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Federal Funding to Boost Tribal Entrepreneurship at Mille Lacs Band
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $3.1 million in federal funding for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Onamia, Minnesota to boost tribal entrepreneurship. Specifically, the funding, provided through the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program, will enable the construction of a tribal business incubator to help small businesses and start-ups access technical assistance they need to increase and expand their operations. “This federal funding will make a real difference for the Mille Lacs Band Reservation, helping establish a business incubator that will boost small
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Responds to the Supreme Court Overturning Roe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: “This is a terrible day for America. Roe v. Wade has been overturned. “For almost 50 years, American women have had the freedom and constitutional right to make their own decisions about abortion. This right respected individual autonomy and the capacity of people to make good, moral decisions about abortion. This activist Supreme Court—and the Republican Senators and President who put them there—have gutted that right, because they think they know better than American women,
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