Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy And Security Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2454, AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Titus-Giffords-Heinrich amendment, which the manager's amendment incorporates into the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Our amendment will create clean-energy jobs, promote deployment of renewable energy technology, and put the Federal Government in a position to lead by example. Our amendment extends the limit for the Federal Government to 20 years on a contract for the acquisition of electricity generated from a renewable energy resource, often referred to as a power purchase agreement. This provision will encourage wide-scale deployment of renewable energy technology at Federal buildings, BLM land, and Superfund sites. Additionally, it will allow agencies to plan for more sustainable and affordable energy use over an extended period of time. This small change will open the door to government investments in cleaner, more sustainable, and ultimately more cost-beneficial energy technologies.

Our amendment also establishes a Renewable Electricity Standard for Federal agencies. This RES will ensure that the Federal Government meets 20 percent of its electricity demands through renewable energy by 2020. It will drive demand for new, clean-energy technologies and help create new, clean-energy jobs. Indeed, we will be leading by example.

I'm proud to have joined my fellow members of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, chaired by Jay Inslee and Steve Israel, on this provision. I would like to thank Chairman Waxman for his assistance on this important amendment.

I too will miss you, Madam Speaker.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source