Several PA Members of Congress Cast Key Supportive Votes
Statement of Nathan Willcox, Energy & Clean Air Advocate for PennEnvironment
"Tonight, Congress took a historic step towards a new clean energy
economy and a healthy future by passing the American Clean Energy and
Security Act by a vote of 219 to 212. We applaud Pennsylvania members
of Congress Bob Brady, Mike Doyle, Chaka Fattah, Paul Kanjorski,
Patrick Murphy, John Murtha, Allyson Schwartz and Joe Sestak for supporting this
critical legislation.
"This historic legislation will help to grow Pennsylvania's clean
energy economy, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy
solutions across the country, and cut global warming pollution
nationally 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, consistent with
what scientists have said is necessary to prevent the worst effects
global warming.
"While the dramatic shift we need in our energy policy and the dire
scientific predictions regarding global warming demand that we do much
more, the first step is always the hardest and Congress should be
applauded for taking it. We learn to walk before we can run; this
historic act by Congress gets us up on our feet and heading toward a
clean energy economy.
"For too long, America has been hooked on the dirty fossil fuel energy
sources of the past that threaten the health of our children, cause
global warming, and drag down our economy.
"It is time to unleash the power of clean energy to transform our
economy, protect our environment, put people back to work, and build a
sustainable future. We can make our homes and businesses so efficient
that they use zero-net energy. We can harness wind and solar power for
the energy we do need. We can transport ourselves in American-made
plug-in hybrid cars that get 100 miles to the gallon.
"There are many more steps to be taken on the path to a clean energy
economy. We can and we must use dramatically less energy; all the
energy we do use needs to come from clean, renewable sources; we need
to cut our dependence on oil in half; and we must hold polluters truly
accountable for cutting their global warming pollution.
"By passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act today, the U.S.
House of Representatives took that pivotal first step toward the clean
energy transformation that Pennsylvania, this nation, and the world,
needs.
"Tomorrow, we look forward to building even more support for even stronger solutions."
