1Sky pushes for passage of clean energy bill

Caldwell noted key improvements in the bill


Date: Friday June 26, 2009
Contact: Alex Posorske (301) 270-4550 x230 or alex@1sky.org

Takoma Park, MD -- 1Sky is urging Representatives to yes on the Waxman Markey Clean Energy Bill today, to support all strengthening provisions, and to vote no on weakening amendments. On the afternoon of the House of Representative’s vote on the clean energy measure, 1Sky campaign director Gillian Caldwell said:

“This is a significant moment in history: The House of Representatives is poised to pass its first legislation to limit global warming pollution. While this bill is much weaker than what we need to tackle global warming, it is a first step and we must take it. We urge Members to vote for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) because this bill will impose the first-ever limits on greenhouse gas pollution. The Waxman/Markey bill also sets the first national renewable electricity and efficiency standards for utilities, and it substantially improves efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. This bill can create millions of green jobs for Americans.  And passing this bill will give us the opportunity to keep fighting to strengthen it and give President Obama a needed signal to bring to the international climate talks in Copenhagen in December. The eyes of the world are watching.

“Today, Chairman Waxman announced some important improvements in the bill in response to the strengthening campaign by 1Sky activists, climate precinct captains and so many of our close allies who fought to make it better. We were very pleased to see a number of key strengthening amendments in the areas of renewable energy and worker transition. On the downside, if all proposed amendments are passed, big agricultural-businesses may win widened loopholes for fossil fuels, shifting offset jurisdiction to the USDA from the EPA, and revoked authority to address important sources of greenhouse gas emissions.“

If and when this bill passes the House of Representatives later today, 1Sky and our allies will redouble our efforts to spread the word about the need for a transition to a new clean economy. We will continue to work tirelessly to educate the American people and Congress about what is at stake.  And we will continue to work to make government more transparent so oil and coal industries cannot continue to buy their way into continued addiction to oil and coal when cleaner, job-creating alternatives are untapped. 

“There has been a difficult split in the community over this bill, and we at 1Sky respect and understand both sides. We know this bill does not deliver what the scientists say is needed. We know more needs to be done. But we must get started now. We are already late. We will fight tirelessly with the combined force of our grassroots campaign until the United State transitions to a 21st century clean energy economy and leaves the dinosaurs of dirty coal and big oil behind.”