The American Power Act

On May 12, 2010, Senators Lieberman and Kerry unveiled the American Power Act (APA). The APA is a comprehensive energy and climate policy that finally puts America first by forging a new American economy, strengthening national security, and protecting the environment for future generations.

The APA will help forge a new American economy by unleashing the power of American ingenuity and innovation, creating millions of new clean-energy jobs in the process. These are jobs that cannot be shipped abroad and will launch America into a position of leadership in the global clean energy economy of the 21st century.

We currently spend almost one billion dollars every day on foreign oil, much of which is sent to hostile regimes.  By developing our own sources of energy—American sources—we will finally begin to break our addiction to foreign oil, which is harmful to our national security. The APA will also reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in technology to harness domestic energy supplies. 

The APA will protect our planet by reducing carbon pollution 17 percent by 2020 and over 80 percent by 2050. The APA offers a new approach to reducing emissions that recognizes the distinct needs of our different industries. The bill includes separate, targeted mechanisms for the three major emitting sectors: power plants, heavy industry and transportation.

Consumers will come out on top. The American Power Act sends two-thirds of all revenues not dedicated to reducing our nation’s deficit back to consumers from day one. The rest is spent ensuring a smooth transition for American businesses and investing in projects and technologies to reduce emissions and advance our energy security.

Summary
Section by Section
Full Bill

Studies

•The CBO released new scoring showing the American Power Act reduces America's budget deficit by over $19 billion over ten years.  Learn more.

•The ClimateWorks Foundation released a non-partisan study showing that the American Power Act will create 540,000 jobs per year while providing $71 in savings on families' utility bills.  Read it by clicking here.

•The EPA released economic analysis that shows the American  Power Act will decrease America's energy bills and ensure that families most affected by energy prices are protected.  View the report here.

Endorsements

The American Power Act is differs from previous energy and climate bills in that it has the support of a growing and unprecedented coalition of business, national security, faith, and environmental communities.

See what they’re saying:

“Senators Kerry and Lieberman are to be commended for a plan that recognizes the economic and national security threat of our ever-increasing dependence on foreign oil, particularly OPEC oil. Achieving energy security is not easy and I applaud their focus on a broad energy package that includes replacing foreign oil/diesel/gasoline with cleaner, abundant domestic natural gas in America’s heavy duty fleets. I look forward to working with them in the coming weeks to focus attention on that aspect of their legislation. Using natural gas as a transportation fuel is a non-partisan issue. The time to act is now.”

- T. Boone Pickens
Energy expert and creator of the Pickens Plan

“The American Power Act is essential to strengthening our national security. Military leaders of every stripe have confirmed that America’s dependence on hostile nations for oil puts money in the pockets of our most dangerous enemies. This tri-partisan bill will defund terror and make the world a safer place for our troops. America’s military leadership – at the Defense Department, the CIA, and the National Intelligence Council – have all identified climate change and oil dependence as security threats. Now is the time for politicians in Washington to follow their lead.”

--Statement from Operation Free, a coalition of veterans and national security organizations

“The ‘American Power Act’ represents an important step toward a strong national energy policy, and GE applauds Senators Kerry and Lieberman for their leadership on an issue that is critical to the future of our nation and our economy. National energy policy must drive the accelerated deployment of new technologies in the United States if America is to compete and win in the global race for clean energy technology leadership. China and Europe have already enacted robust clean energy policies that are powering technology investment and job creation. It’s time for America to do the same. GE supports the process Senator Kerry and Lieberman have initiated today. We stand ready to work with them and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle on the substance and details of final legislation.”

--Statement from General Electric

Read more.

•On May 27, 2010, a diverse group of 60 corporations, labor groups, environmental NGOs and faith-based organizations a letter to President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Republican Leader McConnell urging action this year on comprehensive energy and climate legislation.  Read the letter.