After learning about climate change as a college student and receiving a Ph.D. in mathematics, Jerry McNerney devoted his early career to developing renewable energy, working in the clean energy industry for 20 years. In 2007 he ran for US Congress and served from then until 2023.
During his time in Congress he sponsored and cosponsored many bills to save our climate, Some of the laws passed deal with:
- the interaction between water use, energy and climate (WEST Act),
- providing tax incentives for investment in renewable energy resources and energy efficiency programs (GREEN Act),
- a bill to encourage increasing use of geothermal energy (Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act).
As a Congressman Jerry has a record of improving California’s water infrastructure. He recognizes that air pollution is both a climate issue and a public health issue. Nowhere is that clearer than the San Joaquin Valley, which has some of the highest childhood asthma rates in the state and the nation. Jerry argues that to mitigate air pollution, we need to invest in technology for better gas mileage and other efficiencies, while also bolstering air quality regulations. Jerry also recognizes that biological diversity and climate change are closely linked.
After working to get funding into the Inflation Reduction Act, Jerry wants to bring that money to bear to decarbonize California. Climate Action California believes that Jerry’s legislative record proves that he is a leader we can rely on to protect our climate.
Website: https://jerrymcnerney.org