Schakowsky, Barragán Reintroduce the Future Generations Protection Act to End Fossil Fuel Expansion and Combat Climate Change

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, reintroduced the Future Generations Protection Act of 2021. This bill would help ensure a rapid shift away from fossil fuel to clean renewable energy.

Specifically, the Future Generations Protection Act would ban greenhouse gas emissions from all new power plants, stop hydraulic fracking, and ban crude oil and natural gas exports. It would also prohibit the Federal Energy Resources Commission from approving new liquified natural gas terminal siting or construction, unless doing so would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"The science is clear: we are rapidly running out of time to prevent the worst effects of climate change. Just this year in the United States, we have witnessed a record number of climate and weather disasters due to climate change," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "During COP26 global leaders were consistently reminded that humanity is at "code red' and that to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach countries must significantly reduce emissions. As the second highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, it is crucial that the United States lead by example. The Future Generations Protection Act is a critical step in our transition to clean energy and reaching the United States target to reduce emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030."

"I'm proud to join Rep. Schakowsky in reintroducing the Future Generations Protection Act, which recognizes that increasing our dependence on fossil fuels is incompatible with a habitable planet, now and for the future," Congresswoman Barragán said. "Communities of color are hit first and worst by the climate crisis. This year we have experienced record wildfires, reoccurring 100-year floods, extreme drought, heat waves, and stronger storms. As Congress and President Biden work to make record investments in clean energy to reduce pollution and create millions of green jobs, we should reduce fossil fuel infrastructure, not expand it and work against the progress we're poised to make."

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