David Orentlicher: "Go Green and Grow Jobs"

News Article

David Orentlicher unveiled today his plan to clean up our environment and create the high-paying, high-benefit "green" jobs that can power our economic future. The Orentlicher plan includes multiple steps to combat global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and generate 21st century jobs:

Reduce greenhouse gases

To avoid the threat from global warming, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 percent a year over the next few decades, giving us an 80 percent reduction by 2050 from 1990 levels. A number of important policies can help us achieve these critical goals:

1. Cap greenhouse gas emissions. We must cap allowable emissions by utilities and manufacturing facilities and use the market to determine the best way to achieve the reductions. Under a "cap-and-trade" system, companies can buy or sell "pollution credits," thereby creating incentives for companies to identify the cheapest ways to lower pollution.

2. Realize greater energy efficiency in transportation. Much of the greenhouse gas emissions in Marion County come from motor vehicles. We need to raise the fuel efficiency standards for automobiles in the United States—doubling them over the next decade and a half. We also need to have much greater options for mass transportation. David proposes a tripling of federal funding for light rail and other rapid transit alternatives.

3. Require greater efficiency in our use of electricity and other power supplies. Too much power is wasted in homes and commercial properties. We need to (a) eliminate incandescent bulbs, (b) ratchet up our energy efficiency standards for new appliances and increase tax incentives for the purchase of new appliances, and (c) tighten up efficiency standards for new buildings so that new buildings are 50 percent more energy efficient within a decade.

4. Require that 25 percent of electricity come from clean energy sources by 2025. While greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced significantly by using oil, gas and coal more efficiently and capturing emissions before they escape into the atmosphere, it will be far more important to replace oil, gas and coal with wind, sun and other clean energy resources. These energy supplies of the future are plentiful, free and available right here in America.

5. Dedicate $150 billion in federal funding to support the development of clean energy supplies over the next ten years. In the long run, wind and solar power can provide a more economic source of energy than oil and gas, but it will take major investments in the coming years for clean energy industries to develop. Substantial federal investment can ensure that adequate funding is available.

Grow our economy with green jobs.

As we clean our environment through the measures proposed above, we can use our strong manufacturing base in Indiana to develop the "green industries" that will supply energy-efficient products and services. An Indiana company, EnerDel, has pioneered batteries for hybrid electric automobiles; other companies produce solar panels, and our manufacturing capacity is well-suited to supporting a thriving windmill industry. By going green, we can create jobs that both lower unemployment and reduce gas prices. And we also will improve the health of our children, the health of our planet and the health of our economy.

David Orentlicher lives on the North side of Indianapolis with wife Judy and children Cy (7) and Shayna (4) and he has represented the 86th district since 2002.

Source