Congressman John W. Olver
1st Congressional District - Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center Leadership Award presented to Congressman John W. Olver in recognition of his dedicated service to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the people of the Commonwealth, and for his outstanding commitment to environmental research and protection of our natural resources. From Left to Right: Fred Byron, Congressman Olver, David Reckhow and John V. Lombardi. December 5, 2003

Congressman Olver is a cofounder of the House Climate Change Caucus and a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus. Through these caucuses he has worked with his colleagues to promote awareness on these issues, support appropriate legislation, and fight the rollback of environmental legislation under the current Administration.
He also serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which is charged with writing the yearly bills that fund the Federal Government. He was recently named the Ranking Member (top Democrat) on the Transportation and Treasury Subcommittee of Appropriations, and also gained a spot on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Its jurisdiction includes all Department of Interior offices, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.

Congressman Olver has sponsored and supported numerous pieces of legislation aimed at improving the environment and human health. These include:

Introduced legislation to raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for Sport-Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and light trucks in order to fight global warming and reduce our dependence on foreign oil (HR 1815 in 107th Congress, HR 1605 in 108th Congress).
Introduced HR 1245, a bill to establish a registry and information system of United States greenhouse gas emissions to inform the public and private sectors about emissions and encourage voluntary reductions of emissions.

Successfully offered amendments to strike the "gag order" on climate change language in Appropriations bills.
In conjunction with Representative Nancy Johnson of Connecticut, introduced the Connecticut River Partnership Act, HR 2479, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide Connecticut and Massachusetts technical and financial assistance for management of the Connecticut River.

An original cosponsor of HR 770, to preserve the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by preventing oil drilling and worked to successfully keep drilling in ANWR out of the energy bill.

In support of public transportation, introduced an amendment to the FY 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill to raise funding for Amtrak by $500 million to $1.4 billion.

Introduced HR 2062 in the 107th Congress, which re-authorized the Connecticut River Basin Atlantic Salmon Compact. The Compact includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and allows the states to coordinate efforts to restore salmon to the Connecticut River.

Introduced with Congresswoman Nancy Johnson HR 1798, the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Act of 2003. The legislation passed the House. It will create a National Heritage Area covering nine towns in Northwestern Connecticut and 20 others in Southwestern Massachusetts. It will heighten appreciation for the culture and history of the region, help preserve its natural and historic resources, control sprawl, and boost the local economy.

Introduced HR 1069, the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area Act, which will recognize 42 historically rich communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that have made important and distinctive contributions to the national character of America. It would provide a cooperative framework for a unique coalition of community stakeholders and the National Park Service to work to conserve the special natural, historical, and cultural resources of the region for the educational benefit of future generations.
Congressman Olver is a strong defender of both the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. He opposes the President's "Clear Skies" Initiative that would actually permit more pollution than the existing Clean Air Act allows. He is also a vocal critic of the Administration's changes to the New Source Review program.

Similarly, he has stood against the Administration's attempts to redefine federal rules that would allow development of millions of acres of isolated wetlands now protected under the Clean Water Act. Congressman Olver is a cosponsor of HR 962, the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act, which would protect all waters of the U.S. including so-called "isolated" waters.
From his position on the House Appropriations Committee, the Congressman has also taken every opportunity to increase funding for land conservation, supporting maximum funding for the Forest Legacy Program and federal Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and in directing federal funding to the Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (which runs the entire length of the Connecticut River watershed) and regional land trusts to protect endangered habitats and landscapes.

He has also worked closely with Senators Kennedy and Kerry and Congressman Neal in earmarking federal monies to combat combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that spill pollution into the Connecticut River.

The Congressman is a defender of our National Forests. He voted against the President's fire plan, HR 1904, the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. The act would open forest areas to additional logging under the guise of forest fire prevention and protection.
He is also an outspoken critic of the Administration's reversal of the roadless rule. He has cosponsored HR 2369, the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would protect our National Forests, and prevent the undermining of the rule. Only two percent of the continental U.S. remains roadless, and roadless areas provide clean water, habitats for precious and endangered plants and animals, and places for recreational activity.

Finally, Congressman Olver’s Appropriations work has targeted innovative, renewable energy projects in western and north central Massachusetts. These include: CoopPlus and its green energy programs; Electric Vehicles Worldwide in Pittsfield which is researching hydrogen fuel cells; a biomass facility at Mount Wachusett Community College which would serve campus needs; and the Center for Ecological Technology's demonstration projects illustrating new solar technologies on local family farms and cultural institutions.