Rep. Maloney started her career as an ESL *English as a Second Language) teacher in East Harlem. When her program was cut, her colleagues elected her as their advocate to restore funding - and she succeeded, setting an example that has extended throughout her career, first working with the NYC Department of Education and then as a legislative staffer in Albany. After gaining that experience, in 1982 she ran a long-shot challenge to an incumbent City Council Member in a district that spanned East Harlem, South Bronx, Manhattan Valley, and Carnegie Hill - and she won an improbably upset.
Throughout her time in Congress, Congresswoman Maloney has been an advocate for national energy policies that increase energy independence, protect the environment, and use natural resources responsibly. Development of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures are critical to meeting these goals, as well as developing policies for clean water and sustainable energy.
Global Warming and Clean Energy: As a nation, America must revolutionize energy policy, combat climate change, and create millions of clean energy jobs. As a member of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus, as well as the Safe Climate Caucus, Congresswoman Maloney understands that investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives is key to combating global warming. For many years, she has fought to increase support for the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy budget, the Energy Star program, and the Energy Weatherization Assistance Program.
Public Lands & the Northern Rockies Ecosystem: Since her first election to Congress, Congresswoman Maloney has fought to ensure that public lands are conserved for the public good and preserved for future generations. She is the sponsor of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, which will protect the beautiful and fragile bioregion known as the Wild Rockies. Considered radical when first introduced because it was based on science rather than political boundaries, this visionary legislation has long been supported by environmentalists and business interests from the Northern Rockies region who recognize the value of preserving the area's natural beauty.
Fracking: At a time of record high gas prices and volatility in fuel sources, finding alternatives and achieving greater energy independence is of the utmost importance. The country’s future energy policy must be sustainable and must not harm America’s public and environmental health. Congresswoman Maloney remains deeply concerned with the environmental and public health consequences of the natural gas extraction technique known as “fracking”, and supports the ban on fracking in New York State. Congresswoman Maloney has written to federal regulators with concerns about watershed safety, natural gas reserve estimates, and gas leases on government mortgaged properties, and has urged her colleagues on the relevant House Committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on these issues.
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