The House of Representatives has passed H.R.2298, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, sponsored by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward J. Markey, chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
‘Today, the House has passed the most important energy and environment bill in our nation's history,’ says Markey. ‘Scientists say that global warming is a dangerous man-made problem. Today, we are saying clean energy will be the American-made solution. This legislation will create jobs by the millions, save money by the billions and unleash investment in clean energy by the trillions.’
The bill contains the following key provisions:
– requires electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020;
– invests $190 billion in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including energy efficiency and renewable energy ($90 billion in new investments by 2025), carbon capture and sequestration ($60 billion), electric and other advanced technology vehicles ($20 billion), and basic scientific research and development ($20 billion);
– mandates new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances and industry;
– reduces carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels; and
– protects consumers from energy price increases.
The American Wind Energy Association released the following statement from its CEO Denise Bode in response to passage of the legislation:
‘The wind energy industry congratulates House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairmen Waxman and Markey, and the entire House leadership for successfully adopting energy legislation that includes a renewable electricity standard – a key first step in balancing our electric generation mix by expanding America's renewable energy-generating capacity and creating thousands of new American manufacturing jobs,’ says Bode.
The legislation now faces a vote in the Senate.
SOURCES: House Energy and Commerce Committee, American Wind Energy Association
