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Energy and Environment

“As an emergency medicine physician, I have witnessed firsthand that the environment is a key determinant of health. That is why I am fighting to invest in a clean energy economy that creates good-paying jobs, protects our environment, and increases our energy independence.”
- Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.

Dr. Ruiz understands the importance of addressing climate change head-on with commonsense solutions. He advocated and voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – to make bold investments in our communities’ infrastructure and to combat the climate crisis. This bipartisan package includes $80 million to invest in solar power research and development projects to create good-paying, clean energy jobs across the country. Dr. Ruiz also helped bring the Inflation Reduction Act across the finish line, which makes the single largest investment ever in combatting climate change while bringing clean energy manufacturing jobs to local communities. On top of that, Dr. Ruiz has advocated to curb harmful emissions by cosponsoring the Climate Action Now Act to ensure the U.S. meets its emission goals established under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Growing up in Coachella, Dr. Ruiz understands firsthand the harmful, daily effects of the Salton Sea on our local environment and public health. For years, he has prioritized addressing the environmental and public health crisis at the Salton Sea, most recently securing a $250 million federal investment to the Sea through the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding, along with the $30 million agreement he helped broker between the federal government and the State of California and the $6.7 million he’s secured for additional projects over the years, will help clean up the Sea and improve our air quality.

Dr. Ruiz has worked diligently to bring investments to our region that will help build a strong clean energy economy. He has authored key legislation, like the Renewable Energy Jobs Act, to create opportunities for local students and workers to enter our Southern California renewable energy industry. He has also been at the forefront of driving federal investments to the Salton Sea, where a massive supply of lithium holds the potential to transform our region into a global leader in clean energy production.

Dr. Ruiz knows that climate change impacts underserved communities the most and has worked extensively to mitigate those impacts on our region and the nation. In 2021, he introduced the Environmental Justice Act to protect local communities from the possible negative health and environmental impact of federal decisions. Dr. Ruiz has also been at the forefront of addressing local environmental injustices, fiercely advocating to solve the public health crisis at the Oasis Mobile Home Park and working directly with the EPA to provide clean water for the residents.