Washington, D.C. - Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement in response to Vermont's unique role in organizing over 65 Step It Up 2007 events around Vermont and over 1,350 events around the country.

Welch met last week with several of the Vermonters organizing the effort in Burlington and sent a letter of support to the hosts of the events around the state. He is currently on a congressional delegation trip to Iraq and Afghanistan:

"The activism demonstrated by Step It Up events across Vermont and the nation serves as an inspiration for me and a reminder to elected leaders around the country that Americans are serious about taking meaningful action to combat climate change.  I am proud of the role Vermonters are playing in stepping up and providing the necessary and urgent leadership to tackle this critical issue.

"Addressing this challenge presents our country with enormous opportunities to improve efficiency, create jobs, clean our air, and make us more competitive and secure in the world.  It's time to act.  American ingenuity combined with political leadership can help us meet this challenge and move us to a more sustainable energy future. Vermonters continue to lead the way fighting for this necessary political action."

In Congress, Welch supported the passage of the Clean Energy Act of 2007, repealing $14 billion in tax breaks to the oil industry to fund the development of renewable energy, and is an original co-sponsor of the Safe Climate Act which aims to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050.