Democratic leaders from the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), have criticized the United States Postal Service over its plans to purchase a predominantly fossil fuel-powered fleet, rather than invest in electric vehicles.
A Wednesday letter to the Postal ServiceReps.Gerald Connolly(D-Va.),Doris Matsui
Doris Okada-MatsuiOvernight Medical Care Presented By The National Council for Mental Wellbeing FDA Panel advises Moderna booster shot for people at high risk Hillicon Valley Presented By American Edge Project Americans blame politicians and social media for spreading misinformation: poll Biden signs bill strengthening K-12 school cybersecurity (D-Calif.),Paul Tonko
Paul David TonkoThe Biden Administration’s First Year: Slow and Steady Does Not Win This Race Hillicon Valley Inside The Twitter Shakeup Lawmakers Take aim at ‘Grinches’ using bots to target consumers during holidays (D-N.Y.),Matt Cartwright
Matthew (Matt Alton CartwrightOvernight Energy & Environment Biden tries reverse Trump’s position on power plants 23 House Democrats ask for Biden to maintain full climate funds in Build back Better New York House Democrat tests positive to COVID-19 (D-Pa.), Alan Lowenthal
Alan Stuart LowenthalBass raises more than million since launching the LA mayor campaign. On The Trail: Retirements offer insight into House Democratic mood Buttigieg highlights supply achievements at ports Los Angeles, Long Beach (D-Calif.), A. Donald McEachin
Donald McEachin, Aston (Donale), Donald McEachinPlanting trees and growing communities: Why support tree equity Virginia maps put rising star House Democrats at risk A holistic approach towards climate equity MORE (D-Va.),Chellie Pingree
Rochelle (Chellie), PingreeOvernight Energy & Environment EPA announces new pollution monitoring in South Maine Businesses clamor for foreign workers in order to meet demand. Maine’s tourism rebound is a result of labor shortages MORE(D-Maine). Mike Quigley
Michael (Mike), Bruce QuigleyOn the Money Breaking down January’s job boom Democrats expect a short-term spending patch amid tough Omnibus talks Lobbying around the world MORE(D.Ill.) voiced opposition to the plan, stating that it “failed properly to abide by National Environmental Policy Act’ (NEPA) requirements.”
“Instead, it [the Postal Service]The Democratic leaders wrote that the United States had moved forward with almost exclusively fossil fuel-powered fleet procurement. This was in violation of its commitments to climate change and counters long-term economic interests.
The leaders of the coalition urged the Postal Services to reverse their decision and accept the recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and Council on Environmental Quality (Council on Environmental Qlity), which both urged the service to reconsider its plans.
Leaders expressed concern at learning that the Postal Service had committed $480 million to start the engineering and construction for new fossil fuel-powered trucks. This was before the EPA began an environmental review. They also noted that they are concerned that NEPA has been treated as an inconvenience by the Postal Service.
They stated that NEPA’s central premise is that the agency should use the environmental analysis required by law to inform its decision. “The law does not provide an ex post facto justification for a predetermined outcome.
Their criticisms followPostmaster GeneralLouis DeJoy
Louis DeJoyHouse votes for a bill to overhaul the Postal Service. Virginia lawmakers block ex Trump EPA chief Postmaster General’s plan to purchase gasoline-powered trucks.The postal service defended Tuesday’s decision, saying that its ambition to acquire an electric fleet was “ambitious” given current circumstances and “our dire financial situation.”
The leaders of the SEEC said they sympathize with the Postal Service’s limitations. However, the House responded to financial concerns by passing the Build back Better Act. This provided $6 billion to help pay for electric vehicles and related infrastructure.
They also noted that the House is set to consider the Postal Service Reform Act. They said it would help relieve the agency’s long-standing financial difficulties and provide a solid foundation from which the Postal Service will make forward-leaning investments into its vehicle fleet.
TheSEEC members urged the Postal Service to reconsider the plan, even if it didn’t receive additional funding.
They wrote that “This is the time for the federal government’s to step up and use their purchasing power to invest into clean technology that is poised drive our economy’s future.” “The Postal Service must play a part in the solution to the climate crisis. We cannot ignore the NEPA process, our national and global climate commitments, and the Postal Service.
