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SEEC urges passage of comprehensive energy legislation containing greenhouse gas emissions reductions

March 29, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- Late last week the members of the House of Representatives Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC) called for passage of comprehensive energy and climate legislation containing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in order to spur private investment in domestic clean energy technologies and industries, and a new American energy economy.

The members of SEEC sent a letter Thursday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (President Obama, Senate Leader Reid were copied) urging that comprehensive energy legislation include a price on emissions that will incentivize widespread investment in domestic clean energy production- and the job creation, economic growth and energy independence that would accompany it. The letter states that:

“We need an energy policy that gives industry predictability and strong incentive. Right now Americans send nearly $400 billion overseas every year to pay for imported energy. At the same time, billions of dollars of private capital sit on the sidelines in the United States as investors and banks wait for the price signal that a limit on greenhouse gas emission will provide. Our country’s ability to innovate is unrivaled in the world, and by putting a price on pollution we can unleash the talents of our innovators and entrepreneurs to balance our dependence on foreign energy and chart a course to lead the world in clean energy.”

SEEC helped to pass the House of Representatives American Clean Energy and Security Act, in June 2009, and the co-chairs of the 54-member House coalition said that they are encouraged by the work taking place in the Senate on consistent legislation.

In commenting on the letter, SEEC co-chair Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) said that "SEEC urges that Congress and the Administration enact policies that will drive investments in American clean energy jobs and a secure, sustainable energy future for our nation. We are encouraged by the work being furthered in the Senate and are eager to work with our colleagues to realize legislation that will allow American innovators and entrepreneurs to compete in and dominate the growing clean tech industries."

SEEC co-chair Jay Inslee (D-WA) added that “we are very encouraged by the bipartisan work to get an energy bill in the Senate. There seems to be a solid group of Senators who recognize that a greenhouse gas limitation component is integral to any comprehensive bill. With this letter, SEEC is stating that it is essential that a comprehensive energy bill includes greenhouse gas emissions targets and durable mechanisms to ensure those targets are achieved. A limit on carbon pollution is going to be the best mechanism to drive investments in new technology and unleash American ingenuity to lead the world in creating new clean energy jobs.”