Get involved! Go to your local congressman's office and speak
out against global warming! Show that this issue matters to you!
Speak out in support of the Waxman-Markey bill.
For more info, go to: http://action.1sky.org/t/4153/signUp.jsp?key=1041
A letter to House Speaker Pelosi, from
1Sky
Acorn
Democracia Ahora
Environment America
Green for All
Health Care Without Harm
Oxfam
MoveOn
Rock the Vote
Sierra Club
US Action
Dear Madame Speaker,
The American Clean Energy and Security Act offers our country 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 global
warming 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.
The Bush Administration had a virtual open-door policy to Big Oil
for the last eight years. Meanwhile, the powerful interests of oil and
coal have had a stranglehold on our energy policy, keeping our country
hooked on old, dirty and expensive energy sources. At the same time,
China and India have invested massively in clean energy technology
development, recognizing that global economic leadership in the future
is dependent on investments in clean energy infrastructure and
technology now.
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 of Big Oil and Coal.
Yet, long-established energy 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
three 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.
We expect an effort on the House floor to roll back the already
weakened target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. Our
groups will work to turn back this effort. Our organizations stand
ready to work with Chairmen Waxman and Markey, the House leadership,
and other Committees to strengthen and improve this bill to fulfill the
promise of the historic opportunity before us. The U.S. can emerge from
this process with legislation that effectively spurs clean economic
development, powers our nation with efficient, renewable, home-grown
energy sources, and establishes a carbon reduction plan that can give
us the credibility to lead the international community to a global
agreement. Given a chance, American innovation and ingenuity can lead
us out of this crisis into long-term and broadly shared economic
prosperity.
We will work tirelessly to accomplish that goal.
Sincerely,
1Sky
Acorn
Democracia Ahora
Environment America
Green for All
Health Care Without Harm
Oxfam
MoveOn
Rock the Vote
Sierra Club
US Action
CC The Honorable Henry A. Waxman
The Honorable Ed Markey