Baldwin Helps Drive Job Creation, Energy Efficiencies

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) played a key role in helping write landmark legislation that will create millions of clean jobs (more than 37,000 in Wisconsin, alone) and usher in a new era of clean energy. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), passed (33-25) by the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee today, will revitalize our economy and respond directly to the threats of climate change.

"This is the kind of bold, direct action we need to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our nation and the world today," said Congresswoman Baldwin, who sits on the E&C Committee and its Energy and Environment Subcommittee. "By creating new, clean jobs we send people back to work in an environment that is healthier, safer, and more fuel efficient. This is the kind of change President Obama promised and our Committee has delivered," Baldwin said.

Setting us further along the path to energy independence and economic vitality, the legislation passed today has four key components:
Increasing renewable energy requirements

Setting higher energy efficiency standards
Creating a cap and trade program to address carbon emissions
Providing assistance and incentives for transitioning to a low-carbon economy

Baldwin was the chief author of several provisions in the base bill including establishment of a greenhouse gas registry. The registry would guarantee accurate measurements, consistent reporting, and a publicly available database of our emission levels - the first step necessary to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. A major fault of the European Union's cap and trade system has been a lack of reliable emissions information. "We have learned from their mistakes," Baldwin said. "Think of it this way," she explained, "imagine we're going on a low carbon diet. The first thing we have to do is step on a scale."

In addition, Baldwin successfully inserted a provision to reduce the cost that Wisconsinites would bear for transporting captured carbon dioxide emissions to a distant waste storage area.

Congresswoman Baldwin also authored 5 amendments included in the bill that help attain the stated goals. Her recommendations were informed by meetings she held with businesspeople, energy providers, and consumers around the state of Wisconsin.

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