Many folks are praising the House’s passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, but stressing that they want to see it improved in the Senate.
Sierra Club:
“With today’s historic vote, Congress has taken the first step toward unleashing a true clean energy revolution. … We urged the House to pass this bill so that we could work to strengthen it before it reaches President Obama’s desk. It is now of the utmost importance that the Senate improve several of its provisions. In particular, a mechanism for cleaning up the oldest and dirtiest coal plants must be included in a final bill. It’s also vital that we ramp up the bill’s investments in energy efficiency, hasten our transition toward clean energy sources like wind and solar, and steer more of the bill’s investments toward the public benefit—not polluters.”
Blue Green Alliance:
“Today marks a historic and critical step forward in building a clean energy economy in the United States–an economy that creates good jobs and reduces the carbon pollution that causes global warming. … Strengthening this legislation as it moves through Congress is essential to meeting its potential to jumpstart the American economy and revitalize the middle class. We look forward to working with the Senate to strengthen key provisions related to the Renewable Electricity Standard, investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, worker training and fair treatment of our workers.”
American Wind Energy Association:
The group praises the bill’s Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)–“a key first step in balancing our electric generation mix by expanding America’s renewable energy generating capacity and creating thousands of new American manufacturing jobs”–while saying it hopes the RES can be strengthened.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which will take up climate legislation later this summer:
“There are very few bills that we pass that trigger so many benefits for the American people — energy efficiency, new jobs, cleaner air, healthier families, and energy independence. This bill gives us the momentum we need in the Senate, and signals that when we promised change for the better in America, we meant it.”
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R):
“Although this bill is not perfect, it is a significant step in the national fight against climate change and it puts the United States in a position of leadership in international climate negotiations that must produce a global solution to this global problem. My Administration will work with the Senate and President Obama to improve and strengthen this legislation so that it achieves its goals while boosting economic growth and I commend the House of Representatives for taking this historic step today.”
