Global Warming News

West Hartford, CT—Environment Connecticut applauded Representative Chris Murphy for voting to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) through the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee.  The bill, which passed by a vote of 33-25, would set the first ever federal limits on global warming pollution and move America toward clean energy. 

“This bill is a giant step towards building America’s clean energy economy and solving global warming.  The bill begins to lay the groundwork for a future powered by the wind and sun – energy sources that won’t run out, don’t harm our environment, and will only grow cheaper over time.  We applaud Representative Chris Murphy for voting for the bill,” said Environment Connecticut Program Director, Christopher Phelps.

The bill will reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050. These limits are similar to the mandatory limits enacted in Connecticut in 2008. In addition, the bill will establish strong minimum targets for commercial and residential building codes of 30 percent energy savings starting in 2010 and 50 percent savings for residential buildings starting in 2014 and for commercial buildings in 2015. These improved building standards will save consumers $25 billion a year by 2030.  And the bill will provide money to state and local governments to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Unfortunately, Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and other polluters want to continue their stranglehold on our economy.  Polluters have weakened the bill, delaying the economic and environmental benefits it will deliver.  America, and the Congress, can and must do better to unleash the potential of clean energy to transform our economy, put millions of Americans back to work, and solve global warming,” said Phelps.

The renewable electricity standard in the bill was watered down to the point that it will not require the nation to use more renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, compared with what we will already achieve through state standards and through investments from the economic recovery bill passed earlier this year.  In addition, the bill allows global warming polluters to purchase offsets rather than reduce their own pollution, which will result in less-certain emission reductions and delay the transition to cleaner technology.  The bill also largely fails to require polluters to pay for their pollution.

Connecticut has a renewable electricity standard requiring 20% renewable electricity by the year 2020. In 2008, Connecticut enacted mandatory reductions in the state’s global warming pollution that are similar to those in H.R. 2454.

“Now is the time for bold and meaningful action on clean energy and global warming.  We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen and pass the America Clean Energy and Security Act,” concluded Phelps.