Global Warming News

Pittsburgh, PA—Congress moved one big step closer to taking historic action on clean energy and global warming last night, when the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454) was voted out of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee by a 33-25 vote.  PennEnvironment applauded U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (Allegheny County) for casting one of the "yes" votes for the bill, which would set the first-ever federal limits on global warming pollution and move America toward clean energy.   PennEnvironment also expressed disappointment that the two other Pennsylvania members of the committee - U.S. Representatives Tim Murphy (Allegheny, Beaver, Washington & Westmoreland counties) and Joe Pitts (Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties) - voted against this historic legislation.

"This bill fires the starting gun in the race to build America’s clean energy economy and solve global warming," said Nathan Willcox, Energy & Clean Air Advocate for PennEnvironment.  "The bill begins to lay the groundwork for a future powered by the wind and sun – energy sources that won’t run out, don’t harm our environment, and will only grow cheaper over time.  We applaud Representative Doyle for voting for the bill."

The bill would reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050.  In addition, the bill commits the United States to achieving additional emission reductions through agreements to prevent deforestation.  The bill will establish strong minimum targets for commercial and residential building codes of 30 percent energy savings starting in 2010 and 50 percent savings for residential buildings starting in 2014 and for commercial buildings in 2015. These improved building standards will save consumers $25 billion a year by 2030.  And the bill will provide money to state and local governments to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Unfortunately, oil companies and other polluters want to continue their stranglehold on our economy.  Polluters have weakened the bill, delaying the economic and environmental benefits it will deliver.  America, and the Congress, can and must do better to unleash the potential of clean energy to transform our economy, put millions of Americans back to work, and solve global warming,” said Willcox.

The renewable electricity standard in the bill was watered down to the point that it will not require the nation to use more renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, compared with what we will already achieve through state standards and through investments from the economic recovery bill passed earlier this year.  In addition, the bill allows global warming polluters to purchase offsets rather than reduce their own pollution, which will result in less-certain emission reductions and delay the transition to cleaner technology.  The bill also largely fails to require polluters to pay for their pollution.

“Now is the time for bold and meaningful action on clean energy and global warming.  We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen and pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act,” concluded Willcox.