Marking 39th Earth Day, Udall Calls on Congress to Pass Comprehensive Energy Legislation to Help America Lead in the New Energy Economy

Statement

Marking 39th Earth Day, Udall Calls on Congress to Pass Comprehensive Energy Legislation to Help America Lead in the New Energy Economy

Udall: Challenges Facing the Earth are Great, but by Increasing Investments in Green Energy and Efficiency, We Can Make a Difference

Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall made the following statement in celebration of the 39th Earth Day:

"On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans joined together to celebrate the first Earth Day. People from all walks of life and from communities big and small turned their concern for the planet into an international call to action. Their goal: to leave our world better than they found it, so that our children and our children's children will be able to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and enjoy our beautiful natural heritage

"Thirty-nine years later, we face all of the same problems that concerned those first Earth Day participants - devastating pollution, deforestation, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife. And now there is another threat. Scientists, citizens, industry, and public officials agree that climate change is an urgent problem we must address.

"But I believe we also have a reason to be optimistic. Technology has made it possible to harness the wind, the sun, and the energy from plants and use them for power. Every day, we take another step toward reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and developing innovative, efficient engines and appliances.

"And even more important, Americans see the promise too. They want cleaner energy, good-paying green jobs, and a future in which we are no longer dependent on foreign oil.

"Promoting renewable energy and efficiency is something I have been committed to as a member of the House and now as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. And on this Earth Day, I'm calling on Congress to support comprehensive energy legislation including a Renewable Electricity Standard that will help position America as the world leader in the new energy economy.

"I know Colorado can help guide this effort. With the sun in the San Luis Valley, the wind on the Eastern Plains, and the great minds at our top-notch universities, we can help put our country on a path toward increased energy independence and economic growth.

"We still have a choice about how we tackle the challenges we face. And if we take the right steps, we can still make good on the promises made on the first Earth Day in 1970 - to leave the earth cleaner and healthier than when we inherited it.

"Thank you, and happy Earth Day."

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