Echo Chamber Executive Q&A: Congressman Mike Levin

Before running for Congress, he was on the front lines as an environmental attorney—going up against polluters, navigating energy regulations, and advocating for a cleaner future. Today we’re featuring Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), who’s brought that same drive to Capitol Hill, turning climate ambition into legislative action.

Know someone who should be featured? Email us: info@echocomms.com.

About Rep. Levin: Rep. Levin represents California’s 49th Congressional District, which includes North County San Diego and South Orange County. Currently serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives, he is a member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2018, Rep. Levin fought for climate action while working as an environmental attorney. He also served on the board of the Center for Sustainable Energy and co-founded Sustain OC, helping accelerate the transition toward more sustainable power generation and transportation alternatives.

As a Member of Congress, some of Rep. Levin’s top priorities are combating climate change, protecting our natural resources, and capitalizing on the economic benefits of a sustainable energy future. He is a Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), the leading House caucus focused on issues related to environmental protection, climate change, and clean energy.

Last week, just ahead of the House vote to gut the clean energy tax credits, we spoke with Rep. Levin over email:

With so many potential issues to focus on in Congress, how did you become focused on clean energy?

Representative Mike Levin: Before coming to Congress, I started my career as an environmental attorney and fought to expand clean energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I knew I wanted to continue this work in Congress. Expanded clean energy development is critical if we are serious about cleaning up our electricity sector. As a parent, I want to make sure future generations, including my own kids, have a livable and safe planet.

Clean energy also aligns with my district’s priorities. California’s 49th Congressional District is made up of coastal communities that are facing unique environmental challenges, including coastal erosion and sea level rise. To me, clean energy is one of the best ways to protect our beaches and oceans and prevent further harm to our coastal economy.

Finally, clean energy connects back to the concerns people have about the high cost of living. Clean energy, in addition to being better for the environment, is also cheaper for consumers. The Trump administration’s efforts to drag us backward toward expensive fossil fuels not only will have devastating consequences for the environment but will also increase our utility bills too.

 How do you see reconciliation playing out and what do you think ultimately happens to the IRA clean energy tax credits? And how should companies and advocates engage with Congress over the next few weeks?

ML: Republicans have made it clear that clean energy tax credits are on the chopping block, which is unfortunate because they are good policy, plain and simple. They are lowering the cost of energy for consumers, while the policies that came out of the Ways and Means Committee will raise energy costs for American households by as much as 7%. These credits support the creation of thousands of jobs, a large portion of which are in Republican districts. My advice to companies and advocates is to share your stories and make clear to Congress the impact slashing these tax credits and programs will have on communities, jobs, and pocketbooks.

 What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

ML: Running for Congress! I decided to run in 2017 because I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines during the first Trump administration. I wanted to join the fight and stand up for the values I care about. Like many of my colleagues who were elected to Congress in 2018, I had never held public office before. Getting elected to Congress was exciting, but very different to the personal and professional experiences I had before. I’ve had to balance my obligations in D.C. with spending time with my family. It’s been challenging but incredibly rewarding to serve my incredible district.

 What’s something about you that might surprise people?

ML: My mom is Mexican American, and my maternal grandparents immigrated from Mexico a century ago. That’s why I care so deeply about reforming our broken immigration system. It’s personal. My grandparents worked hard, played by the rules, and were able to succeed and embody the American Dream. I’m concerned that the possibilities given to my grandparents may no longer exist for those who want to build a life here in the U.S.

Know someone who should be featured? Email us: info@echocomms.com. 

Check out our recent conversations:

• Caroline Spears, Founder & Executive Director, Climate Cabinet
• Steph Speirs, Clean Energy Entrepreneur
• David Schutt, Executive Director, U.S. House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC)
• Eva Hernandez, Executive Director, Mosaic
• Bryant Jones, Executive Director, Geothermal Rising
• Sam Evans-Brown, Executive Director, Clean Energy New Hampshire
• Matt Traldi, Founder & CEO, Greenlight America
• Laura Zapata, CEO & Co-Founder, Clearloop