Washington April 9, 2019 – Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala D. Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (all D-Calif.) on Tuesday responded to the Justice Department announcement that it won’t close the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s office in San Francisco in October as previously indicated.
Last November the members called on the department to reverse its decision to close the office and instead maintain the lease through 2020 while it evaluates more affordable options in the Bay Area.
They released the following joint statement:
“Closing the San Francisco office would have weakened enforcement of our environmental laws, not just in California but throughout the West. We’re pleased the Justice Department is following our recommendations and reversing its plan to close the office in San Francisco this October.
“We’re also glad the department has said it will use this time to evaluate more affordable locations in the Bay Area for office space. Staying in California will ultimately save money, particularly by reducing travel costs. This will allow the Justice Department to more effectively enforce our environmental laws and protect natural resources in California, Hawaii, Alaska and Pacific territories.
“Keeping the office in California is critical to fulfilling ENRD’s mission. The Bay Area is the best place for the office and we’ll keep working with the department to ensure it stays there.”