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June 17, 2009
Contact:
Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
608.251.7020 ext. 16, 608.347.6026 (cell)
Global Warming Bill Passes U.S. House with Help from Wisconsin Representatives
American Clean Energy and Security Act Will Create Jobs, Cut Global Warming Pollution, and Put Nation on Path toward Energy Independence
Madison, WI – The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 219 to 212 vote Friday evening with the support of five Wisconsin congressional representatives. Advocates call the bill to cut global warming pollution and increase the nation's commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency the most important piece of federal environmental legislation in over thirty years.
"The importance of this bill cannot be understated," said Ryan Schryver, clean energy advocate at Clean Wisconsin, the state's largest environmental advocacy organization. "We are proud both of our representatives who stood up for clean energy by voting for this bill, as well as of for the role that Wisconsin played in passing this historic legislation."
Wisconsin stands to benefit economically from the federal clean energy legislation passed by the House on Friday. Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base and abundance of renewable energy resources make it an ideal place to produce and install renewable energy systems like wind turbines, biomass plants, manure digesters and solar panels.
"This bill will provide a fantastic boost to our economy," said Schryver. "Over 35,000 new jobs could be created right here in Wisconsin as a result of these investments in clean energy and energy efficiency."
In addition to the jobs and economic investment the legislation will bring to Wisconsin, ACES will also help mitigate the effects global warming. As a result, Wisconsin can hope to avoid the most disastrous consequences of global warming, including intensifying weather patterns such as floods and droughts.
"While this legislation does not provide a silver-bullet solution to global warming, it is a huge step in the right direction. By beginning to make substantial investments in energy efficiency and clean energy, this legislation will help our nation break its addiction to dirty fossil fuels and transition toward energy independence," said Schryver. "Our legislative leaders should be proud of today's vote."
- Major Provisions of the American Clean Energy and Security Act include:
- A strong and increasing commitment to renewable energy production.
- Policies to develop a new "smart" electricity grid to decrease energy lost during transmission.
- Standards and incentives for improving energy efficiency – including upgrading building standards; goals for utilities to reduce their customer's energy use; and incentives for manufacturers and industrial energy users to use energy more efficiently.
- A market-based cap and trade program that will result in an 80 percent reduction in global warming pollution from sources like coal plants by 2050.
How Wisconsin Representatives Voted:
Voting in favor of the bill were five Wisconsin Representatives, including; Congressman Ron Kind (D – La Crosse); Congressman Steve Kagen (D – Green Bay); Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D – Madison); Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D – Madison); and Congressman Dave Obey (D – Wausau.)
Voting against the bill were Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R – Brookfield ); Congressman Paul Ryan (R – Janesville); and Congressman Thomas Petri (R – Marinette.)
The US Senate is expected to take up debate
on their version of clean energy legislation in the fall of 2009.
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.