WASHINGTON – Today (June 26th), the U.S. House passed an energy bill that will create jobs in new industries and put the United States on a clear path toward energy independence.
“I have given this legislation a lot of thought, and I am convinced it will not only benefit working families in Middle Tennessee, but is essential to our region’s economic future,” said Congressman Bart Gordon. “Jobs have been leaving our country and most of them aren’t coming back. This bill will create new industries in the energy sector for blue-collar workers. These new industries will have a ripple effect, creating new additional businesses that will supply parts and create even more jobs.”
The House-passed bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, will regulate carbon dioxide pollution, invest in developing a 21st Century energy grid, and most importantly, provide incentives for the development of renewable energy industries.
“Nissan’s Smyrna plant and the new solar-technology plants in Clarksville and Cleveland, Tennessee are examples of the new energy industries this bill will bring about,” said Gordon. “Each plant will create thousands of new direct and indirect jobs. Nissan is a great example. Its new electric car plant will employee 1,300 people, but supply companies – the primary metal, electrical equipment, and plastics companies – will open up shop in the surrounding communities, and they are estimated to create more than 9,000 additional jobs.”
During the last few months, numerous statistics have been used and misused to describe the cost of the bill’s provisions. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analyzed the bill passed by the House today, and concluded it would cost $175 a year for families at its height in 2020, or about $15 a month. These estimates did not include savings that will come from upgrades to the energy grid, more efficient homes, and advanced appliance efficiency standards. As stated in the CBO report, “Households would bear costs but ultimately would receive equivalent benefits.”
“Other countries are developing these clean energy industries right now – solar, wind, hydro, and others,” added Gordon. “They recognize current energy sources are limited – they are going to run out. If we don’t act now, years down the line, our foreign dependency will just switch from petroleum-based products to new energy resources that we could have created right here in our country. This bill will put us on track to finally declare our energy independence.”
The House-passed energy bill is supported by a wide coalition of organizations that includes energy companies, business (small and large), labor groups, as well as conservation groups. It will now move to the Senate for consideration.
This summer, President Obama and Change That Works will fight to ensure Americans receive much-needed health care reform in 2009. Community service is a critical piece of our health care campaign and our National Health Care Day of Service on June 27, 2009 will highlight its importance.
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