FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2007
CONTACT:
Josh Dorner, 202.679.7570
David Willett, 202.491.6919
Sierra Club Hails Passage of Renewable Electricity Standard in House
Speaker Pelosi Delivers Major Victory for Clean Energy
Today the House of Representatives passed a landmark national Renewable
Electricity Standard by a vote of 220 to 190. It then went on to pass the
energy bill itself on a final vote of 241 to 172.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
“Last fall Americans voted for change and a new direction on energy issues
and global warming. Today the House of Representatives began to deliver on
this promise by passing a landmark national Renewable Electricity Standard
(RES) for the first time—a major step toward kickstarting the clean energy
economy. Twenty-three states have already demonstrated that Renewable
Electricity Standards are a reasonable, achievable policy that brings
clean, renewable energy and green jobs to America. The national RES
passed today stands to save consumers billions on their electricity and
natural gas bills; create billions in new income for ranchers, farmers, and
rural landowners; and create tens of thousands of new good-paying
manufacturing jobs.
“The rest of the House energy bill also contains numerous other important
provisions that will help us begin to fight global warming and end our
dangerous dependence on fossil fuels. I’m sure Speaker Pelosi would be the
first to agree that Congress’ work on energy and global warming is not
finished. But after years—if not decades—spent battling truly
reprehensible energy legislation, it is extremely refreshing to be instead
focused on just how many progressive policies can be added to an energy
bill.
“Speaker Pelosi has delivered a new day on energy in Congress. Instead of
determining how many billions in unnecessary subsidies will be shoveled to
the coal, oil, and nuclear industries, the House energy bill marks the
beginning of a dramatic reorientation of our energy policy toward one
focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and a new energy economy
designed to benefit the many, not the few. The fact that the debate has
been so swiftly reoriented is truly a credit to the Speaker’s commitment
and leadership.
“We now look forward to working with our allies in the House and the Senate
to deliver a bill from conference that combines the best elements of both
bills into a final bill that President Bush should feel compelled to sign.”
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