Congressman Pushes for Clean Energy, Broadband, Health Information Technology, other Investments Benefiting MA and Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Massachusetts and states across the country look for ways to turn the global economic crisis into an opportunity, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) and his Bay State colleagues met with Governor Deval Patrick today to discuss how the economic stimulus package currently being drafted could provide immediate help to Massachusetts families and grow the state’s economy in the longer term.

"We can emerge from this economic crisis through innovation, information, and cooperation," said Rep. Markey, who is Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.  Both committees will play important roles in the stimulus package. "Indeed, these are the very strategies that have enabled America to emerge stronger from every challenge we have faced as a nation."

As a longstanding supporter of an electronic, nationwide health information technology infrastructure to increase accurate, secure communication between patients and their medical providers, Rep. Markey is pushing for investments in this type of infrastructure as well as an expansion of broadband service in the stimulus package.

Rep. Markey is also leading the charge on several "green" initiatives that could create thousands of new jobs, spur investment, and unleash technological innovation in the Bay State:

--An increase in weatherization funding, which President Bush proposed eliminating, of up to $1 billion for next year. For every $1 invested, the program returns $3.71 in benefits and specifically supports job growth and economic development. In Massachusetts alone, $28-30 million would create more than 1,300 jobs in the state while helping low-income people lower their energy bills. 

-- An expansion of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants to $2 billion per year to help state and local governments to initiate programs to increase the energy efficiency of communities. In Massachusetts, around $40 million would support the creation of more than 500 jobs

--Investment in plug-in hybrid battery technology, which would support a nascent battery industry in the Bay State.

-- Efforts to "green" our schools -- modernizing, renovating, or repairing public school facilities to be safe, healthy, high-performing, and up-to date technologically. This would be an $80 million investment in Massachusetts schools, reducing school energy bills and spurring construction job growth.

--Increasing energy efficiency in low-income rental buildings, which would cut energy bills for families and create 200 new jobs.

"Just as we repair and build roads across the state, we must also make inroads to more Massachusetts clean energy development. If we are building bridges, we must also bridge towards the future with investments in electronic medical records and broadband. If we're updating an old overpass, we can't pass over the chance to increase the Bay State's leadership in the biotech industry," continued Rep. Markey.

"I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Massachusetts Delegation in Congress and with Governor Patrick to ensure that the stimulus package delivers the benefits needed to assist our state and the country out of our current economic challenges."

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