American Clean Energy And Security Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, today I come to the floor to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy Security Act.

As you know, I represent a state that has been a leader in the nation when it comes to renewable energy standards and energy efficiency activity. New York was the first state in the country to adopt a state renewable energy standard and is currently ranked as one of the most energy efficient states per capita in the nation.

I am proud to say H.R. 2454 will allow New York to continue these successful programs and push us even further in a positive direction. Working with, and on behalf of, the New York delegation, I was able to work with Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey to include language which allows states like New York to have the flexibility to be in control of their own compliance. This flexibility is vital if New York is to continue its great progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency activities. This bill allows New York State to build upon a strong record of demand reduction. Otherwise, a commitment of several years would be required to set up a new system in our state with its proven results.

In addition to the flexibility language, the bill includes provisions allowing market transformation initiatives to count towards the energy efficiency standard. It also addresses the issue of transportation emissions and transportation planning and makes it consistent with current state policy. Finally, the bill includes an improvement that I recommended concerning efficiency of natural gas turbines. H.R. 2454 creates a $65 million competitive grant program specifically for research and development of more efficient natural gas turbines used for power production. The goal of the program would be to raise the efficiency of these turbines to 65 percent. Currently, the most efficient turbines operate at 60 percent. A one percentage point improvement in efficiency alone, applied to existing turbines, would reduce CO

The innovation and the technology advancement that this bill aims to promote will see benefits for future generations. As we did during the Space Race so many years ago, we must turn towards innovation and leadership on the energy front to lead the world again. This is a global race for clean, green energy that we cannot afford to lose.

Madam. Speaker, with the collective energy of the President and the Congress, this bill will create new and enduring policies which will promote cleaner, more efficient, and more independent sources of energy that will positively influence all of America's energy demands as well as jobs and career paths of the future. I urge my colleagues to join me and vote in favor of HR. 2454. I yield back the balance of my time.

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