Gulf Restoration Network

U.S. House to vote on clean energy and green jobs

We must urge our members of Congress to strengthen the American Clean Energy and Security Act when it comes to a full vote of the House. A stong bill will help protect the coast in the following ways:

Deliver Reneweable Energy- Congress should strengthen the renewable electrcity standard in the bill

Continue Accountability and Oversight for Carbon Polluting Industries- Congress should restore backstop authority to the EPA to regulate plants under the Clean Air Act.

Provide Clean Green Jobs for Louisiana- Congress should reduce allocations to polluting oil companies and merchant coal polluting industries in order to supplement allowance accounts that would bolster green job development and protection of vulnerable communities.

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February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Congressman,

Louisiana is ground zero for the impacts of climate change. From rising sea levels, to more intense storms, New Orleans will feel the impacts of climate change first, and Congress must act now to protect our coast and communities.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act offers our country, our State, and our city the most important opportunity in generations to jumpstart our economy, create millions of new, well-paying jobs and set the stage for America to compete and win in a 21st century economy while reducing carbon pollution. A commitment by our elected leaders to a strong clean energy jobs bill will benefit small businesses and set us on the pathway back to economic prosperity. But in order to reach the full potential of this opportunity, Congress will need to stand strong against the special interests that seek to weaken the bill at every turn.

America has a chance to lead in the global race if we pass a bill that truly levels the playing field for new energy industries and limits the entitlement to federal resources and the control of our energy economy to long-established energy industries.  Unfortunately, these same industries have received concessions during the House committee negotiation process that have weakened this bill’s ability to deliver on the full promise of clean energy jobs, strong, inclusive and sustaining economy in the 21st century and reducing pollution. Many of the considerations granted the oil, coal, and electricity industries would preserve their market power and profits while transferring the cost of reducing pollution to the taxpayer. We believe that industries should pay to clean up their emissions, not demand loopholes, bailouts, and giveaways from the federal government.

The clean energy jobs bill will best serve America if we can strengthen its provisions to maximize job creation, invest in the skills of our workers and the long-term economic prosperity of our country, and significantly reduce the pollution that has been caused by fossil fuel industries for decades.

In order to achieve these goals by the time it passes the House, we call on the House of Representatives to further the work of the committees and pass the following amendments:

Amendment #1: Ensure more clean energy for America 
Increase the Renewable Electricity Standard to 30 percent by 2020 combined renewable energy and energy efficiency to deliver more clean energy jobs to the U.S. economy more quickly.  Utilities would have to achieve 17 percent mandatory renewables and 10 percent mandatory efficiency by 2020, while maintaining flexibility to do either with 3 percent.

Amendment #2: Hold Polluters accountable
Restore authority to the EPA to regulate carbon emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act.

Amendment #3: Create more Clean Energy Jobs for America and Build Resiliency to Climate Change
Reduce allocations to polluting industries in order to supplement allowance accounts that would bolster green job development and protection of vulnerable communities that are impacted first and worst by climate change.  Shave allocations from fossil fuel producers and redistribute to programs that deliver energy efficiency and renewable energy, create green jobs and train workers to fill them, and protect natural resources and vulnerable communities here and around the world.

SIncerely,

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