In a just-released study, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found that "if Congress passed climate and energy legislation that strengthened the energy efficiency and renewable energy standards in [the ACES bill] the House of Representatives approved last June, consumer electric and natural gas costs would be $113 billion lower by 2030, and emitters would pay 4 percent less in compliance costs." Read the entire analysis here.
According to a new report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), energy efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES - H.R. 2454) with improvements could create more than 569,000 new jobs nationwide in the next 10 years and provide hundreds of dollars in annual savings for every household in America.
On Monday, President Obama gave an impassioned speech on urban policy (watch or read full speech here) that included a continued push for more livable communities built around accessible transportation options.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) today urged support of the Waxman-Markey ACES Bill, which is set for a vote tomorrow. The organization had previously opposed the bill, but after talks between Collin Peterson, chair of the Agriculture Committee, and Waxman and Markey, agreements reached in the bill have satisfied the needs of the organization. Read more about the key components of the agreement reached in NFU's press release. These agreements pave the way for many representatives from rural and agriculture states to support the bill, securing more votes for this key legislation.
As Members of Congress debate whether or not the United States will place first ever limits on the gases that are changing our climate, the Union of Concerned Scientists has prepared a summary of what's at stake for us in Minnesota, including impacts for our farms, forests, cities, and shipping on Lake Superior.
On June 23, the U.S. EPA released the agency's analysis of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive energy and global warming bill expected to be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. The analysis found that the bill's overall cost to the average U.S. household would be between $80 and $111 per year in 2020.
The EPA analysis highlighted that because of the strong energy efficiency provisions in the bill, customers' utility bills would be roughly 7 percent lower in 2020 than if the law were not passed.
Read or download the EPA's analysis.
The Blue Green Alliance of prominent labor groups and environmental organizations sent a letter to Congress June 22, urging the House of Representatives to defend, strengthen, and pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Read the letter here.
Posted by: J. Drake Hamilton in Renewable Energy Standard, policy, legislation, global warming, federal issues, economy, economic development, carbon regulation, cap and auction, ACES on
Jun 23, 2009
June 23, 2009
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the millions of members and volunteers that our organizations represent, we write to urge you to support final passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES).
We also urge you to do everything possible to strengthen the bill between now and final passage, and along its journey to the President's desk.
ACES will help build America's clean energy economy and launch the United States' first national plan of action to address the growing threat of climate change. ACES offers our country the most important opportunity in generations to jumpstart our economy, create millions of new, well-paying jobs, and set the stage for America to compete and prosper in a 21st century economy.
Posted by: J. Drake Hamilton in Renewable Energy Standard, policy, legislation, green economy, global warming, federal issues, economy, economic development, carbon regulation, ACES on
Jun 23, 2009
Today, President Barack Obama highlighted the historic American Clean Energy and Security Act bill moving in the House of Representatives, saying it will "spark a clean energy transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens our planet."
As a Minnesotan, I was pleased that the president praised the great efforts of leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as Representative Collin Peterson, chair of the Agriculture Committee, for his "many and ongoing contributions" in developing this legislation.
At a news conference broadcast today from the White House, the president called passing this clean energy and climate legislation critical: "The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy."
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