Kamala Harris’ Senate work reveals her environmental priorities

Kamala Harris’ time in the Senate highlights her focus on environmental issues like Superfund sites, nuclear waste and invasive species, which provide insight into her potential presidency.

Robin Bravender reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • Harris emphasized cleaning up Superfund sites, particularly in California, and criticized the slow progress of these efforts.
  • She raised concerns about nuclear waste disposal, specifically the risks posed by the San Onofre plant in San Diego.
  • Harris addressed the threat of invasive species, like quagga mussels, and pressed for better management and funding to combat them.

Key quote:

“Our government should not pretend that PFAS contamination is not happening, and we should do something about it.”

— Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President

Why this matters:

Kamala Harris’ Senate record suggests she will prioritize aggressive action on environmental cleanup and regulation. Her positions on these issues could shape national policy if she wins the presidency.

Be sure to see: Harris could expand environmental justice efforts as president

Electrical transmission lines against a rainbow-colored sky

Trump has spent billions on energy. An electricity boom has yet to materialize

The administration has allocated $2.7 billion to stymie wind and solar, while backing fossil fuels and nuclear.
Three people, with only hands visible toasting with bottles of Coca Cola

How companies have abandoned their climate goals and let themselves off the hook

Big business made big promises about saving the planet. Following through hasn’t been easy.
An aerial view of a home that has been damaged by a hurricane

Feds increasingly leave local governments hanging when climate disasters hit, report finds

The U.S. federal government is increasingly failing to provide local communities assistance after climate change fueled disasters.

School children march for science with sign on backpack reading "Listen to the Science!"

As climate extremes collide, attribution science evolves

A National Academy of Sciences report on extreme climate event attribution confronts political climate denialism with scientific evidence.
Wall-mounted home battery storage system

New Jersey law will let data centers pay for home energy upgrades

In a first, the state could speed up data centers’ grid connection if they bankroll energy-saving residential tech like heat pumps and batteries.
A view of a farm field being harvested by two farm tractors

Interactive map predicts climate-driven farm decline by end of century

A team in Barcelona has developed a platform that forecasts how much farmland will lose productivity to climate change by 2100.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.