Mast Leads Efforts to Create Jobs and Grow Florida’s Clean Energy Economy
WASHINGTON — Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) formally announced its endorsement of Rep. Brian Mast in his reelection bid for the U.S. House in Florida’s 18th Congressional District.
In order to receive CRES’s endorsement, candidates must acknowledge a role for the federal government in reducing America’s carbon emissions and developing a robust clean energy industry, as well as demonstrate leadership on policy initiatives related to climate change and emissions reduction.
“Congressman Brian Mast has played a key role in advancing the clean energy technologies that have created over 166,000 jobs in Florida,” said CRES Executive Director Heather Reams. “During his time in the U.S. House, Congressman Mast helped found the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, worked to promote a safe and healthy environment, supported job-creating policies that strengthen our energy economy, and has authored legislation to fight harmful algal blooms and keep our waters pristine. CRES is proud to formally endorse Brian Mast in his reelection bid for the U.S. House in Florida’s 18th Congressional District.”
“Coastal communities like the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches know that it is vital to our economy that we do everything we can to protect our environment. That’s why I have worked across the aisle to combat harmful algal blooms and secure critical funding to restore the Everglades. Together I am confident that we can defend our waterways and make sure we prioritize environmental resiliency,” said Congressman Brian Mast.
CRES-endorsed candidates have contributed to a policy landscape to advance clean energy and emissions reductions in a way that puts the needs of the country first. Examples of initiatives and legislation championed by CRES and endorsed candidates have included reforming and reauthorizing ARPA-E and advanced nuclear research and development; commonsense, market-based emissions-reduction policies, including legislation to help farmers, ranchers and landowners embrace sustainable farming practices and participate in voluntary carbon markets; and policy solutions to incentivize the next generation of hydropower, wind, solar and geothermal generation, among others.
Congressman Mast’s record on clean energy includes the following:
- Lead sponsor of the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act, legislation to help combat harmful algal blooms in the Greater Everglades region.
- Lead sponsor of the MICRO Plastics Act, a bill that directs the federal government to establish a new program to remove microplastics and prevent them from entering our waterways.
- Co-sponsored the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Reauthorization Act of 2019, which is a successful DOE program which provides funding for transformative, early stage energy research in support of American energy security and economic competitiveness.
- Co-sponsored the Trillion Trees Act, legislation that establishes forest management, reforestation and utilization practices to help reduce carbon emissions.
- Co-sponsored the bipartisan House resolution formally recognizing National Clean Energy Week 2020.
- Serves as a member of the U.S. House Climate Solutions Caucus.
###