Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed new rules to improve oil spill response and mitigate impacts of derailments of crude oil traveling by rail. According to PHMSA, “the proposed rule would update and clarify the comprehensive oil spill response plan… Read more »

San Juan Journal: Larsen-Backed Bill to Improve Pipeline Safety Clears Key Legislative Hurdle Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced that a provision he has championed to improve pipeline safety cleared a key legislative hurdle when it passed out of the House by a voice vote. The amendment to the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and… Read more »

Congressman: ‘as we saw with the tragic explosion in Bellingham, when it comes to pipeline safety there is no room for error’ Read more »

NBC: WA Congressional Delegation pledges to work with President Trump to support PNNL Today, Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) were joined by Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Derek… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted in favor of a bipartisan spending bill that makes major investments in the environment and clean energy, as well as other investments in jobs and opportunity for which he has long advocated. The FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides funding for all federal agencies through September 2016, in line with the bipartisan budget agreement that Congress… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today slammed House Republicans for undermining U.S. efforts to fight climate change, particularly as leaders from around the world gather in Paris to work toward a climate change agreement. Larsen voted against two resolutions that would put a stop to the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which Larsen supports and is a centerpiece of the… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against lifting the export ban on crude oil. Larsen issued the following statement regarding his decision about H.R. 702, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed by a vote of 261-159. “This bill to lift the ban our country has on exports of crude oil only adds uncertainty to the lives of the thousands of workers at the refineries in… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today praised the joint announcement from President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to expand the efforts of both countries to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Larsen has pointed to the two countries’ joint efforts to combat climate change as a critical precursor to a successful U.N. climate agreement in Paris in December. During Xi’s first… Read more »

Read Rep. Larsen's op ed on the Bellingham Herald website. By Rep. Rick Larsen While riding down a major route in Beijing in January 2013, one sight struck me: the inability to see the tops of the buildings on either side of this street. The height of the buildings was not the problem, terrible smog was. I returned home with a terrible cold exacerbated by the particulate-heavy air I… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, continued his efforts today to improve safety at refineries and chemical facilities following the April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes that killed seven workers. Larsen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to take action to strengthen safety standards and culture at these facilities. The letter follows the release of a report from the… Read more »