Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives narrowly passed the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act, sponsored by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

This landmark bill, passed 219 to 212, is expected to revitalize the country's economy by creating millions of new jobs, increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil, and preserve the planet by reducing the pollution that causes global warming.

"Today we have taken decisive and historic action to promote America's energy security and to create millions of clean energy jobs that will drive our economic recovery and long-term growth," said Waxman, D-Calif. "After more than three decades of being held hostage to the influence of foreign energy suppliers, this legislation at long last begins to break our addiction to imported foreign oil and put us on a path to true energy security."

"Today the House has passed the most important energy and environment bill in our nation's history," said Markey, D-Mass. "Scientists say that global warming is a dangerous man-made problem. Today we are saying clean energy will be the American-made solution. This legislation will create jobs by the millions, save money by the billions and unleash investment in clean energy by the trillions."

Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, said "today, our country took a huge step forward in improving the nation's energy security, advancing green energy technology, and reducing our enormous carbon footprint. Indiana, with its abundance of renewable resources and one of the highest job creation potentials, per capita, in the nation for green manufacturing, stands to succeed in the new energy economy that is forged by this landmark policy.

The bill contains these key provisions:
• Requires electric utilities to meet 20 percent of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020.
• Invests $190 billion in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including energy efficiency and renewable energy ($90 billion in new investments by 2025), carbon capture and sequestration ($60 billion), electric and other advanced technology vehicles ($20 billion), and basic scientific research and development ($20 billion).
• Mandates new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances, and industry.
• Reduces carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17 percent by 2020 and over 80 percent by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Complementary measures in the legislation, such as investments in preventing tropical deforestation, will achieve significant additional reductions in carbon emissions.
• Protects consumers from energy price increases. According to recent analyses from the Congressional Budget Office and the Environmental Protection Agency, the legislation will cost each household less than 50 cents per day in 2020 (not including energy efficiency savings).

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment