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ABOVE: Tammy holds a press conference in Washington to introduce bi-partisan health care legislation.
Press Releases :: June 26, 2009
Landmark Clean Energy Bill Bears Baldwin’s Stamp
Helps Drive Job Creation and Energy Independence While Confronting Global Climate Change Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) played a key role in helping write landmark legislation passed (219-212) today in the House that will create millions of clean jobs (more than 37,000 in Wisconsin, alone) and usher in a new era of clean energy. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) will revitalize our economy and respond directly to the threats of climate change. During Committee consideration, Baldwin was the author of several provisions, including establishment of a greenhouse gas registry. The registry would guarantee accurate measurements, consistent reporting, and a publicly available database of our emission levels – the first step necessary to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. A major fault of the European Union’s cap and trade system has been a lack of reliable emissions information. “We have learned from their mistakes,” Baldwin said. “Think of it this way - imagine we’re going on a low carbon diet. The first thing we have to do is step on a scale,” she explained. Video of Congresswoman Baldwin’s floor statement on the Clean Energy Bill may be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTN6OYg5gjs
“This bill is our response to a challenge that has consequences of epic proportions,” said Congresswoman Baldwin, who sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Energy and Environment Subcommittee. “Transformative change doesn’t come easily or at no cost, but Wisconsinites understand that we must rethink and revamp the way we live and work if we are to create jobs and grow our economy, ensure our national security, protect our environment, and leave a better, safer, cleaner world for future generations,” Baldwin explained. “This is the kind of change President Obama promised and Congress has delivered,” she added.
In a report released this week, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that the bill would speed the adaptation of clean energy technology and create new jobs for roughly the cost of one postage stamp per day per household. The CBO reports says 40% of American households would face almost no cost.
The legislation will enhance our national security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and greatly increasing our use of renewable wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal fuel sources. The EPA analysis finds that the nation’s gross domestic product would grow from $13 trillion in 2008 to more than $22 trillion in 2030 while using clean energy technology and reducing global warming pollution.
The legislation passed today has four key components:
In addition, Baldwin successfully inserted a provision to reduce the cost that Wisconsinites would bear for transporting captured carbon dioxide emissions to a distant waste storage area. Her recommendations were informed by meetings she held with businesspeople, energy providers, and consumers around the state of Wisconsin.
“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done and the role I played in helping craft this transformative legislation,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “Because of the grave dangers global warming poses in the future, our greatest obligation is to the generations of Americans and people around the world who haven’t been born yet – those who will inhabit this planet long after we’re gone. This bill recognizes that our nation’s security, our planet’s sustainability, and our children’s future hang in the balance.”