American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 07, 2009)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act--a historic step forward to revitalize our economy and get America running on clean energy.

There is a global race underway to develop clean energy technologies. We have the innovation and manpower to take the lead--but we will not get there unless we muster the political will to keep our nation competitive. This bill makes sure that everyone benefits from the millions of jobs this bill will create through a Green Construction Demo Project and additional Green Jobs Act funding to train workers with the new skills they will need to repower and rebuild this nation.

This bill also makes the U.S. more energy independent by investing in energy efficiency, including for consumers of natural gas, home heating oil, and propane. We know that comprehensive energy efficiency programs can help households save money on energy. I thank the Chairman for providing states with greater flexibility to use allowances under the SEED Program to expand existing cost-effective efficiency programs. And for including a provision I cosponsored with my colleague Rush Holt, to jumpstart important research on consumer behavior, energy conservation and efficiency. Moving forward, I hope we will strengthen the combined energy efficiency and renewable energy standard, to maximize efficiency and investments in clean technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.

Madam Speaker, this bill is a significant step towards a better future, and a major break from the past eight years of ignoring our energy crisis. For the first time, it would create a system of clean energy incentives designed to jumpstart the economy and reduce the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

Make no mistake--the effects of global warming are visible here and now. In my home state of Connecticut, global warming is a threat to our health, our wetlands, our lobster fisheries, and our economy. This bill is our chance to mitigate that threat--a chance that will not come again soon.

Future generations are counting on us to do the right thing today--to set our country on a path towards a cleaner, more prosperous future. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source