Merkley, Sanders, Markey, Booker Introduce Landmark Legislation to Transition United States to 100% Clean and Renewable Energy

Statement

Today, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), along with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced landmark climate legislation that would transition the United States to 100% clean and renewable energy by no later than 2050.

The "100 by '50 Act" lays out a roadmap for a transition to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050. It is the first bill introduced in Congress that will fully envision a transition off of fossil fuels for the United States.The 100 by '50 Act has seven core components driving the complete transition to 100 by '50:
"America is home to innovative entrepreneurs and scientists who have tackled many challenges in our nation's history--from harnessing electricity, to putting a man on the moon, to curing disease," said Merkley. "The power to end the use of fossil fuels and completely transition to clean and renewable energy is within our hands, but just as with the moon landing, we need a roadmap, a goal, and a passionate, shared national commitment to get us there. If an asteroid were hurtling its way through space towards our planet, we would do everything in our power to stop that asteroid. Our commitment to fighting climate change should be no less. Starting at a local, grassroots level and working toward the bold and comprehensive national vision laid out in this legislation, now is the time to commit to 100% by 2050."

"The good news is that despite President Trump we are winning this battle," said Sanders. "In Vermont and all over this country, we are seeing communities moving toward energy efficiency and we are seeing the price of renewable energy plummet. Our job is to think big, not small. We can win the war against climate change. We can win the war in transforming our energy system and put millions of people to work doing that. We can create a planet that will be healthy and habitable for our children. There is no issue more important."

"It is no longer a question of if we can power our country with 100 percent renewable energy, it is a question of when," said Markey. "We know that we have 100 percent of the clean energy resource potential in the United States. And we have 100 percent of the technological capability to achieve this goal. As President Trump launches attacks on investments in climate science and energy innovation, now, more than ever, we need to stand up and fight for our clean energy future. I thank Senators Merkley and Sanders for their help leading this historic clean energy revolution."

"We are in a race against climate change and need to reduce our carbon emissions as quickly as possible," said Booker. "This legislation creates a framework for a transition to a 100% clean and renewable energy future, while also providing resources to ensure that all of our communities share in the opportunities that will be created."

On Thursday, Merkley, Sanders, and Markey were joined at an event to announce the legislation by environmental, social justice, business, and labor leaders. The speakers discussed ways that local and regional governments and organizations can begin to plan the transition to 100% now, and the critical importance of bold climate action before it is too late.

"100 is an important number. Instead of making changes around the margins, this bill would finally commit America to the wholesale energy transformation that technology has made possible and affordable, and that an eroding climate makes utterly essential," said Bill McKibben, 350.org co-founder. "This bill won't pass Congress immediately--the fossil fuel industry will see to that--but it will change the debate in fundamental ways."

"Burning fossil fuels is polluting our air, water and land. It's threatening our health and changing our climate even faster than scientists predicted," said Margie Alt, Executive Director, Environment America. "We can have healthier, more vibrant communities today and a livable future for our kids. In order to do that, we need to transform how we produce and consume energy. That starts with a commitment to a rapid shift 100 percent clean, renewable energy. The 100 by 50 bill represents the kind of commitment we need. The good news is that 100 percent renewable energy is 100 percent possible. Clean energy is on the rise, its costs are declining. As more people recognize environmental and economic benefits, it's becoming the go-to energy option for businesses, governments and institutions across the country.

It won't be easy. Incumbent energy interests like the oil, gas and coal industry and their allies are working hard to stop progress. But, we have no choice. Every day the urgency of our environmental challenges becomes clearer. That's why we're ready to roll up our sleeves and work to move America off fossil fuels to a future powered entirely with clean, renewable energy."

"The Merkley-Sanders bill brings to a national level the work we've done in New York to champion climate legislation that prioritizes the needs of environmental justice communities and supports a just transition away from the fossil fuel extraction economy towards the regenerative energy economy," said Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE and leader with the NY Renews coalition. "The standard that this federal bill sets should compel state leaders to rise to the challenge of pushing equally ambitious climate agendas. We can start in New York, where Governor Cuomo is in the unique position to take a bold stance on climate by supporting the Climate and Community Protection Act, from which the Merkley-Sanders bill has drawn much inspiration. It is imperative that policy makers on the state and federal levels follow the lead of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis -- low-income communities of color -- and put justice at the core of their agenda."

"Climate change hurts us all, but it especially hurts low income communities and people of color. I know this from personal experience -- my zipcode has some of the highest rates of pollution in the country," said Vien Truong, director of Green For All, a climate justice advocacy group. "For too long, people of color and low-income communities have paid the ultimate price for pollution, with our money and with our lives. Green For All applauds Sens. Merkley and Sanders, and those who stand with them, for delivering a bill with an array of innovative solutions that address this longstanding environmental injustice and puts communities on the frontlines of pollution first."

"As Registered Nurses, we see firsthand the negative health consequences of pollution created by fossil fuels, and deal with the sickness and death that results from climate injustice," said Jean Ross, RN, Co-President of National Nurses United. "We have a duty to advocate for our patients, and we must act now to slow climate change and end the environmental pollution that is killing our patients, our communities and our planet. We commend Senators Merkley and Sanders for their leadership in sponsoring this bill. It is critical that Congress take action immediately to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels."

Mustafa Ali, Senior Vice President for the Hip Hop Caucus said, "The "100 by '50 Act" begins to lay the foundation for moving our most vulnerable communities from, "Surviving to Thriving". As we move to 100% fossil free energy, we have the opportunity to decrease the disproportionate public health impacts in communities facing environmental injustices from pollution. As we move to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050 we have the opportunity to strengthen communities and increase economic opportunities, through worker training programs and small business development that is community driven. This act gives our country an opportunity to embrace a just transition, honor the innovation and hard work that exists in communities that are often overlooked and forgotten, and revitalize Communities of color, low income communities and Indigenous populations. The "100 by '50 Act" provides an opportunity for everyday folks to play a role in mapping a new direction for our country, that is just, equitable and provides a brighter future for all."

"Senator Merkley is proposing the road we must travel to combat the climate challenge. At last there is a legislative path to survival that we can fight to enact and make progress one year at a time," said David Freeman, former Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

1. Greening the Grid--Phase-out fossil fuel electricity by 2050 and replace it with clean and renewable energy, through a mandatory fossil fuel phase-out and major investments in clean and renewable energy, storage and grid infrastructure to ensure reliability and affordability.

2. Electrifying the Energy Economy--Electrify as much of our transportation and heating systems with power from the clean electrical grid, through a national zero emissions vehicle standard, major investments in zero emission vehicles and zero emission heating systems, as well as carbon taxing authority for commercial aviation, maritime, and rail.

3. Clean and Renewable Energy for All--Ensure that low-income and disadvantaged communities share in the benefits of a transition to 100 by '50, through grants to make clean energy, energy efficiency and public transportation affordable and accessible, and to provide job training in the clean energy sector.

4. Just Transition for Workers--Provide a just transition for the people who work in today's fossil fuel economy to find good jobs in growth industries of the future, and get fair benefits between jobs or in retirement.

5. Ending New Fossil Fuel Investments--Stop approving major fossil fuel projects like the Keystone XL pipeline and Dakota Access Pipeline, and end fossil fuel subsidies.

6. Ensuring American Competitiveness--Make sure that energy-intensive U.S. products maintain a level playing field with products imported from other countries by imposing a carbon tariff for imported carbon-intensive products.

7. Mobilizing American Resources--Create a major new source of funding to ensure a rapid and smooth transition to 100 by '50 by auctioning Climate Bonds and investing the funds in the new programs created by the 100 by '50 Act. The Climate Bonds will ensure climate resiliency throughout our existing infrastructure and communities, and provide planning grants to organizations, communities, tribes and states to develop their own 100% plans and jump-start the transition.

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