Stephen Lynch has a long history of advocating for cleaner air & water. His work dates back to the 1980’s when he successfully fought alongside his neighbors to prevent South Boston’s Edison plant from returning to coal burning. His work extended to requiring environmental health studies surrounding a cluster of residents with lupus and scleroderma; studies on airplane noise and emissions and their health effects on communities, and mandating clean-up of ground contaminants. As a state senator, he led the way in successfully blocking the siting of an asphalt plant on the border of South Boston, Roxbury and the South End of Boston.

He joined with his constituents in the West Roxbury neighborhood to fight the siting of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline next to an active quarry blasting zone. Most recently, he has stood with his constituents in Weymouth and the South Shore where Enbridge (formerly Spectra Energy) is constructing a dangerous natural gas compressor station in a densely populated area. The station would be near thousands of homes and tens of thousands of school children. He has worked relentlessly with his constituents, as well as colleagues in the federal, state and local government to urge reconsideration of the ill-planned project.

Climate Change

There is no question climate change is real. It is an economic and national security issue, and we must do everything we can now, to enact lasting change. Communities across the country are experiencing the devastating impacts of wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, and other weather events fueled by climate change. Right here in the coastal communities of the 8th Congressional District, we can see the impact. From Boston to Scituate, rising sea levels due to atmospheric warming is directly impacting all of us. In addition to supporting a broad range of environmental bills during his time in Congress, Stephen has fought for and secured significant funding for climate resiliency measures to protect our local communities from rising sea levels.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Stephen has also prioritized climate change as a national security issue. He introduced the Climate Change National Security Strategy Act to ensure that the federal government recognizes climate change as a danger and includes consideration of it in the development of our national security policies.

In addition, Stephen has supported legislation to improve vehicle fuel efficiency, increase our use of renewable fuel and incorporate alternative fuels- all critical steps to reduce reliance on foreign oil and lessen the impact of automobiles on our environment. He has secured funding for the purchase of hybrid fuel vehicles for public transportation and for municipal solar projects in the 8th Congressional District.

Some in Congress have been feeding us a false choice between creating jobs, fighting climate change, and keeping our air and water clean.  That simply is not true. Stephen knows that we can protect our environment and still create good-paying, steady jobs. Working with our unions and promoting training programs that emphasize renewable energy and sustainability, Stephen will continue to be a voice for a cleaner healthier environment and for our workforce.

As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to fight for climate change solutions.