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Kelly, McCain Discuss Rising Energy Costs, Environmental Initiatives, and Other Issues at East Fishkill Town Hall
Congresswoman, Senator Pushing Bill to Curb Global Warming, Seeking Real Energy Solutions to Rising Gas/Oil Prices That Weren’t Addressed in Lackluster Energy Bill
EAST FISHKILL – U.S. Senator John McCain visited the Hudson Valley on April 1 with U.S. Congresswoman Sue Kelly. They met with local officials and other area residents at East Fishkill Town Hall to discuss several issues that they are working on together in Congress, including energy and environmental needs.
“Senator McCain and I work closely together on several issues in Congress, and I appreciate him visiting our area to see firsthand the challenges we face here in the Hudson Valley in regard to energy costs and environmental protection,” Kelly said.
Kelly emphasized that higher gas and oil prices across New York and across the country have demonstrated the need for energy independence from Middle East oil. She said that Congress needs to work faster to enact real solutions that address energy costs and develop alternative energy sources.
Kelly and McCain both voted against the Energy Bill that was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last year.
Kelly said that she opposed the Energy Bill because it failed to address rising gas and energy costs, and instead provided excessive tax breaks for oil companies at a time when they have been achieving record-high profits.
“The energy bill was a failed opportunity to strengthen our nation’s commitment to renewable and alternative energy sources, and it also undermined important environmental protections in some of our existing laws such as the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act,” Kelly said. “It also failed to adequately address global warming.”
Kelly said Congress should be doing more to protect the environment, not less. McCain is the Senate sponsor of the Climate Stewardship Act that would put stronger restrictions in place to better protect public health and the environment from global warming pollution. Kelly co-introduced the Climate Stewardship Act in the House.
Their legislation would cap and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and several other heat-trapping pollutants from power plants, refineries, and other industries. In its summary of the Climate Stewardship Act, the National Resources Defense Council assesses:
“In contrast with the (unsuccessful) voluntary approach to curbing global warming pollution advocated by the Bush administration, the bill calls for using a market-based approach, with emissions caps and emission trading, to cut global warming pollution without hurting the U.S. economy.”
Among other issues that Kelly and McCain work on together in the House and Senate:
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Congresswoman Kelly brought U.S. Senator John McCain to East Fishkill Town Hall on Saturday, April 1st to discuss several issues they are working on together in Congress.
Kelly and McCain field questions from the audience at East Fishkill Town Hall.
Kelly and McCain and several Dutchess County Legislators.
McCain along with some local residents.
Kelly, McCain, and members of the East Fishkill Town Board.
Kelly and McCain discussed the need to develop alternative energy sources and to stop excessive tax breaks for oil companies.
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