They said what? Opening day comments from the hearings.

Yesterday’s opening day for the American Clean Energy and Security Act hearings yielded some interesting and engaging comments regarding the discussion draft of “The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.” Here are the highlights of comments made by committee members, along with our responses.

Bart Gordon (D-TN)
What he said: Rep Gordon said that a federal RES (Renewable Energy Standard) could potentially be “punitive” for some regions.
Our response: Federal renewable energy standard would save Tennesseans hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs, and create thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs. District 6 already has over 11,000 green jobs in the energy efficiency sector.

Gene Green (D-TX)
What he said: He says he’s concerned with increasing energy costs, yet he is not embracing new technology that will save Texas money
Our response:  25% Renewable Energy Standard by 2025 will Save Texas over $20 billion dollars that would have been spent on fossil fuels. Tell him to support the RES in the ACES bill.

John Dingell (D-MI)
What he said:  Rep Dingell said, “How you dole out the allowances could be a deal breaker.”
Our response: No giveaways to polluters. Paying off dirty industry is a deal breaker for change”

Mike Ross (D-AR)
What he said:  Ross says “My District is Rural and poor, we can’t afford an RES”
Our response: You can’t afford not to have an RES.  It will save Arkansas over $1.6 billion by 2025 that would otherwise be spent on fossil fuels”

G.K. Butterfield (D-NC)
What he said: Yesterday, Rep G.K. Butterfield cited “deep and serious concerns” with a new law that would increase use of clean energy, like wind power and reduce electricity bills by replacing fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, with renewable energy, like wind power.
Our response:  Current manufacturing of renewable energy equipment is already creating thousands of green jobs in North Carolina and the rest of the southeast. Renewable energy is cost-effectively creating green jobs, and cutting fossil fuel expenditures.  

John Barrow (D-GA)
What he said:  “This bill has the potential for far reaching impacts into our economy, both good and bad . . . There are big gaps that remain in the language, and it seems to me that we have an awful amount of work yet to do.”
Our response: Fill in the gaps with something good for the economy. When the gaps are filled in, that there are zero giveaways for polluters. We need to invest our resources in clean energy that will jumpstart our economy, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and create millions of new jobs.

Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX)
What he said:  Rep Gonzalez said that the investment required to deploy new technology. “…will not represent insurmountable obstacles in passage of clean energy legislation.”
Our response:  However, to invest in clean energy technology, like advanced automobiles, renewable energy, public transit, and energy efficiency, we will need to allocate emissions allowances to these emerging clean energy technologies, and not to polluters.

Charlie Melancon (D-LA)
What he said:  Rep Melancon said that commercially clean energy technology is “decades away,” and that green jobs “won’t come overnight”
Our response: Clean energy technology is already creating millions of new jobs, and that Louisiana’s economy needs green jobs immediately. Support a firm cap on carbon emissions that invests in good-paying green jobs here in Louisiana.

Jim Matheson (D-UT)
What he said:  Yesterday Rep Matheson said “I’m not for 100% auction,” which essentially means he wants to give away money to polluters, like utilities and oil companies.
Our response: Zero giveaways is a better policy for Utah. Making polluters pay is more equitable and cost effective way to deploy clean energy technology, save consumers and create green jobs.

Mike Doyle (D-PA)
What he said:  Yesterday, Rep. Doyle said that ‘without widespread deployment of CCS coal technology, all other reductions in this bill won’t matter.”
Our response: We don’t need money for hypothetical coal technology when energy efficiency and renewable energy are ready right now. A smooth transition to a clean energy economy begins with energy efficiency and renewable energy, technologies that are ready to produce millions of manufacturing and construction jobs right now.

Zack Space (D-OH)
What he said:  Yesterday, Rep Space referenced the relatively high rates of poverty and unemployment in his Ohio district, and praised green jobs training programs as a way to offset that.
Our response: We acknowledging Space for the positive effects that clean energy legislation can have on central Ohio. As this bill gets hashed out in committee, utilities and oil companies must not be given handouts that would otherwise go to clean energy and green jobs.

Barron Hill (D-IN)
What he said:  Yesterday, Rep. Baron Hill declared that “addressing climate change is an issue of utmost urgency,” but only mentioned burning coal and trash for power (yes, trash), without mentioning the benefits of energy efficiency or renewable energy.
Our response:  Clean energy investments like renewable energy and energy efficiency produce almost four times as many jobs as burning coal and solid waste. Manufacturing and construction jobs for energy efficiency and renewable energy are being created in southern Indiana right now, and we need a strong RES.

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