Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2009 |
CONTACT: Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111 |
| U.S. Rep. Schwartz Votes for Landmark Energy Plan | ||
U.S. Rep. Schwartz’s floor statement in behalf of the bill follows below.
“Madame Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). This historic initiative will create jobs in new renewable energy industries and energy efficiency, reduce American dependence on imported oil, and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global climate change.
“The growth of these new industries will enhance the ability of the United States to produce its own energy and reduce the need for oil imports from foreign countries. We currently import nearly 60 percent of our energy needs from abroad. This imbalance makes our country dependent upon foreign countries for the fuel that keeps our economy running. It is estimated that ACES will reduce U.S. oil consumption by 2 million barrels per day by 2030.
“Growing our domestic clean energy industry and reducing our use of foreign oil will have an important tangible benefit – reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global climate change. The Nobel-Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has determined that significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, like carbon dioxide, are necessary to mitigate significant environmental consequences. ACES meets this challenge by creating a framework to reduce U.S. emissions 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
“ACES accomplishes these goals while limiting costs to businesses and the consumer. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has determined that implementing this bill would cost the average household about 48-cents per day. ACES also includes assistance for energy-intensive manufacturing industries like steel, cement, and glass to ensure that these industries remain economically competitive in the global marketplace as we strengthen our environmental laws and transitioned to clean energy and greater energy efficiency.
“I am proud that this bill includes a provision I spearheaded that will require the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator to create a national strategy to reduce carbon emissions through biologic sequestration. Carbon dioxide can be absorbed from the atmosphere into plants, trees, and other vegetation through the natural process of photosynthesis. My provision would ensure that we utilize natural landscape and green infrastructure to maximize our ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere through a determined strategy for reforestation, improved agricultural practices, and urban greening.
“This important legislation defines new energy goals for our nation and enables us to lead the world towards a clean energy future. For businesses and families back home it identifies a way forward to not only reduce harmful carbon emissions but to create new economic opportunities, new “green” jobs, conservation and energy efficiency, and alternative, cleaner sources of energy. Together these actions will better ensure our nation’s security, economy, and health. I urge my colleagues to vote “yes” on this important bill.”
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