Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel, as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the unveiling of the Senate climate change bill. Rep. Engel voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), which passed the full House earlier this year.

“I applaud Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry for introducing the comprehensive energy bill into their committees this week. While closely reviewing it, I am pleased to see that its emission standards are tougher than the 17 percent reduction below 2005 levels we passed out of the House. While the health care debate has taken center stage, we have been awaiting the Senate to begin its discussion on climate change. With the introduction of this bill, this extremely important issue can move forward.

“The revamping of our nation’s energy policy will create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, and actively enhance America's energy independence, and cut global warming pollution. It promotes green jobs and promotes renewable sources of energy and clean electric vehicles.

“I look forward to watching the debate take shape in the Senate, and eventually move to a joint House-Senate conference committee once the full Senate passes their version of the legislation.”