Congress to the Commonwealth: An Opportunity for the Future
Statement
Congress to the Commonwealth: An Opportunity for the Future
By Congressman Ben Chandler
Today, I voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a comprehensive piece of legislation that creates clean jobs, moves us away from foreign dependence on oil, tackles pollution, and transforms our economy to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Supporting the bill was not an easy decision. I struggled with this legislation, and I recognize the good points on both sides of the issue. But I believe we have to take this opportunity to invest in the future of our economy, and we have to act before the environmental crisis gets worse.
Recent history teaches us all too well it is wiser to address a crisis at its beginning rather than allow it to fester and worsen. I believe that we need to act now, rather than later, to prevent irreparable damage to our environment, our economy, and our families.
As legislators and as a country, we are taking a big step in the right direction with this new reform. It is a step toward combating pollution and toward protecting the rolling bluegrass hills, the diverse forests, and the clear streams and rivers of our Commonwealth.
But while we are protecting our natural world, we are also encouraging the long-term growth of our economy. With these trying financial times, our economy needs a boost, and this legislation can help get us on the right track. It can help our businesses grow in ways that are clean, sustainable, and ways that use new innovative technologies which create more jobs.
I had concerns with how early versions of the bill could affect Central Kentucky, but I pushed for additional changes that have been included in the legislation's final form. Specifically, I fought for and secured an additional 30 million allowances for the rural electric cooperatives in Kentucky and across the country, helping protect our companies and helping these energy producers keep rates low for our rural communities. I also fought for an historic $60-billion-dollar investment in clean coal technology and deployment, a provision in the bill that hits close to home.
Leading scientists state that with this law, in 20 years, we will use 6 million barrels a day less of oil than we used in 2005, and we will actually save money in the long-term. We are making a significant investment in our future, where the benefits far outweigh the costs, especially for our children. In fact, the cost to the average family will be about the cost of one postage stamp per day. For this price, we can find a way to burn coal more cleanly, we can reduce our foreign oil dependence, and most of all, we can help create a strong, clean, and modern economy.
This is not just about our environment, but it is about the futurethe future of our economy, the future of our jobs, and the future of our children. In addition to caring for our families, we also have a duty to protect God's creation.
I have three children of my own, and I am going to do all I can to give them the gift of a clean, beautiful, and safe home in Kentucky.
For me, this was a decision that I feel is right and will, with time, fundamentally change the way our nation and our state produce and use energy, while creating better opportunities for our people. Kentucky can be a leader in the fight to protect our natural treasures. I look forward to seeing more clean jobs, more sustainable industries, and strong economic growth in the Commonwealth.
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