| May 20, 2009 |  |
Coalition Meets with IL Rep. Bobby Rush's Staff to Discuss Federal Climate Legislation Protections for Low-Income Families
Illinois Reps. Rush, Schakowsky and Shimkus to Cast Key Votes in U.S. House Energy Committee This Week
CHICAGO (May 20, 2009)—As the House Energy and Commerce Committee debates climate and clean energy legislation in Washington, a diverse coalition today met with committee member Bobby Rush's local staff to urge the Illinois Democrat to vote for the bill, which would cut global warming pollution, reduce energy costs, and fund job training programs like the one at Kennedy King College in his district.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act, introduced by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), would combine a cap on global warming pollution with a range of clean energy policies, including new renewable energy and energy efficiency standards for utilities and carbon dioxide emissions standards for trucks and other heavy vehicles. A provision for emissions standards for cars and light trucks was dropped when the Obama administration announced yesterday it plans to establish them.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which also includes Illinois Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D) and John Shimkus (R), is likely to vote on the Waxman-Markey bill this week.
“Renewable energy is not a choice, it’s crucial,” said Jody Nord, a coalition member from Bauer Power, a solar and wind company with offices in Springfield, Dunlap and Bloomington. “Renewables create new industries, they’re clean for the environment, and they limit our dependence on unstable oil regimes.”Another provision in the Waxman-Markey bill would provide billions of dollars from an emission allowance auction for low- and moderate-income households to protect them from short-term energy price spikes. Reps. Waxman and Markey also worked with Rep. Rush to propose the Low-Income Community Energy Efficiency Program, which would provide grants to community development organizations to help residents retrofit their homes.
"As we work to strengthen urban communities through economic empowerment, we know that bringing resources to these communities is key to any sustainable climate action plan," said Cheryle R. Jackson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. "We applaud Congressman Rush for his work which will benefit families and protect the environment."
"We particularly want to thank Congressman Rush for strengthening the provisions for low-income families in this bill," said Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, executive director of Faith in Place/Illinois Interfaith Power & Light, one of the coalition partners at today's meeting. "We urge its passage because all people will suffer if we fail to address the critical issue of climate change, but our stewardship of the good creation must always include a higher care for the most vulnerable."
Howard Lerner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, acknowledged that passing climate legislation is difficult, but presents opportunities as well.
"Solving our global warming problem is the moral, business, political and policy challenge of our generation," Lerner said. "Scientists agree that we must step up and act now, and there are ways that benefit our environment and our economy. Clean energy development, for instance, is a win-win-win for job creation, economic growth and better environmental quality."
A study released yesterday by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a coalition partner, concluded that the United States could reduce global warming emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 56 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 by implementing a cap on emissions with a suite of energy and transportation policies, similar to those in the Waxman-Markey bill. The average U.S. household would realize net savings of $300 in 2020 and $900 in 2030, while businesses collectively would see net savings of $35 billion in 2020 and nearly $130 billion in 2030.
The study also calculated net savings for nine regions of the country. In the East North Central region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, the UCS blueprint's combined policies would provide net savings of $213 for the average household in 2020 and $808 in 2030. Businesses in the region collectively would save $2.2 billion in 2020 and $15.8 billion in 2030.
"Setting a limit on global warming emissions would ensure that we make the necessary reductions to avoid the worst consequences of climate change," said Ron Burke, UCS's Midwest office director. "Combining a carbon cap with strong efficiency, renewable electricity, and transportation standards could ensure those emissions cuts and save Illinois households and businesses a substantial amount of money."
Environment Illinois Program Director Max Muller, who also attended today's meeting with Rep. Rush's staff, said the congressman could play a key role in making the Waxman-Markey bill law. "We need bold and meaningful action on clean energy and global warming, and this bill is a first step," he said. "We're grateful that Congressman Rush is helping to get the bill out of committee, and we hope he'll help strengthen it as it makes its way to President Obama's desk."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
