and minority communities harmed by toxic
pollution from refineries and other sites.
Levin, who serves on a House climate change
panel, said in an interview that he is confident
Biden “sees the climate crisis as the existential
threat to the future that it is” and “will act as the
moment needs.”
Asked about concerns by some activists that
Democrats may shy away from spending
trillions on climate change, Levin said, “Don’t
agonize, organize,′′ borrowing a quote often
used by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
There’s uncertainty about what Democrats
ultimately will approve, Levin acknowledged, “but
also continued optimism to do the right thing.”
Levin cited a bill approved by the House last
week authorizing $715 billion for roads, rail,
public transit and water over five years. The
bill, which will probably serve as a marker in
infrastructure negotiations, includes money
for electric vehicle charging stations and other
elements designed to counter climate change.
Transportation is the largest contributor to
greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
House Transportation Committee Chairman
Peter DeFazio, D-Ore, the bill’s primary author,
said the threat of climate change means
“we have to rebuild in ways that we never
even thought about before. It’s going to be
expensive, but the good news is, it’s going to
create millions of good-paying jobs.”