Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee began mark-ups for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), comprehensive energy legislation introduced by Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey Friday. Federal Global Warming Program Director Emily Figdor released the following statement in response:
“Given the high priority that President Obama has put on transforming our economy with clean energy and the urgent scientific imperative to reduce global warming pollution, it is exciting to see that the U.S. Congress, under the leadership of Chairmen Waxman and Markey, is making progress and building momentum to address these critical issues.
“Now is the time to replace the dirty, polluting energy sources of the past with the clean, homegrown energy sources of today. In addition to reducing air pollution and limiting the U.S. contribution to global warming, creating a clean energy economy will increase our security and help put Americans back to work in clean green jobs.
“The American Clean Energy and Security Act sets up a framework for transitioning to clean energy and curbing global warming. We commend Chairmen Waxman and Markey for their leadership and their steadfast commitment to advance the bill.
“But to deliver on the promise that clean energy holds to transform our economy, put millions of Americans back to work, and solve global warming, this bill is a first step. Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and other polluters, and the members of Congress who do their bidding, have weakened the bill in ways that will delay the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy and miss the opportunity to make a real transition in the nation’s energy policy. Given the huge opportunity before us, the science on global warming, and the dire state of our economy, these are delays that neither the environment nor the economy can afford.
“The nation’s biggest polluters should clean up rather than being allowed to buy their way out of long-overdue reductions in pollution. If polluters continue polluting, they should be required to pay for their pollution and its adverse impact. The nation should set bold goals and require a significant increase in the use of truly clean and renewable energy over business-as-usual. And, our nation should make much greater investments in energy efficiency and green transportation, which would create jobs and save money for consumers, businesses, and the government.
“Now is the time for bold and meaningful action on clean energy and global warming. We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen and pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act.”
Fact-sheet-on-ACES.doc