"People claim that we can't save our planet and still save our jobs. They think
Our world faces a difficult and terrifying challenge. Scientists estimate that we have roughly ten years to curb our greenhouse gas emissions before the possibility of catastrophic climate change becomes a certainty. In the next few decades, we also face the prospect that the world's oil supply will begin to decline, as global demand continues to grow exponentially.
As a Congressional leader in the fight for a more sustainable world, I have spoken with business leaders, environmental groups, labor organizations, and academic experts to find the most effective way to curb
Last year, I supported legislation to stop price gouging by oil companies. But if we do not do something to address our addiction to oil, the high prices of today will soon seem low. If we do not act now, high energy prices could cripple our economy within decades. To address this looming crisis, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD, and I joined to form the Peak Oil Caucus. This caucus works to reduce oil consumption and develop renewable alternatives.
Through my discussions with business and environmental leaders, and with lawmakers from both parties, I have developed and introduced several pieces of legislation. These proposals are strong enough to meet our present crisis but smart enough to minimize costs and protect jobs.
-
I have introduced the Keep America Competitive Global Warming Act, with Tom Petri (R-Wis) to cap carbon emissions and allow for a trading system to minimize costs. The cap-and-trade approach has been endorsed by groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists and activists like Al Gore. It harnesses the power of American business ingenuity to solve one of our most pressing problems.
-
I have sponsored, and the House has passed, a Renewable Electricity Standard which would require electric utilities, other than governmental entities and rural electric cooperatives, to provide 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures by 2020. Not only will this bill help us meet our growing demand for electricity; it will create thousands of jobs, reduce our exposure to fossil fuel price spikes and supply interruptions, increase economic development in the renewable energy industry, and take necessary steps to fight global warming.
-
I have written a bill to encourage "green building" by making the federal government a leader in building green and supporting those who do. My bill would require federal buildings to be at least 60 percent more energy efficient than other buildings in the region. By 2020, these buildings would be carbon neutral. The bill contains similar requirements for buildings built with at least 10 percent federal money. In addition, the bill extends and expands tax credits for individuals, builders and businesses that use energy-saving technologies. The building sector is responsible for nearly half of America's emissions, but builders have begun to take the lead in developing innovative ways to reduce emissions. This legislation was inspired by Ed Mazria, an architect who lives in northern New Mexico.
With these kinds of innovative solutions, business and environmental leaders can work together to protect our jobs and our planet.
At this critical time, inaction is not an option. The impact of climate change-not to mention a projected spike in energy prices as an oil-dependent world runs out of supply-would be worse for the American economy than even an extremely aggressive program of regulation. Only with creative and pragmatic solutions can we protect our people, our economy, and our world.
Links: