Issue Position: Energy and Climate Change

Issue Position

For far too long, our nation has been dependent on fossil fuels, primarily purchased from foreign sources, to meet its energy needs. This oil-driven energy policy has had a negative impact on our environment, economy, and national security. We simply must reduce our dependence on oil -- whether from foreign or domestic sources -- and enact a comprehensive federal energy policy that allows our country to promote energy independence and move towards a clean energy economy.

We can do this by providing incentives for the production of energy that is clean, domestic, and affordable. We have started doing this by funding significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. These include encouraging technologies ranging from carbon capture and sequestration to the production of electric and other "green" vehicles. Altogether, this basic scientific research is likely to spur economic growth and create entirely new industries, providing jobs to millions of Americans.

On June 26, 2009, with my support, the House passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. H.R. 2454 would invest in clean energy resources, increase efficiency, and improve air quality. Specifically, the bill would require electric utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity through renewable energy sources; invest in research to develop new clean energy technologies; mandate new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances, and industry; and safeguard consumers against energy price increases.

H.R. 2454 would furthermore establish a market-based incentive system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill would enable the U.S. to achieve the 80 percent reduction in these emissions that we must reach by mid-century if we are to avoid a dangerous climate tipping point. I will continue to support additional scientific research in this area, but I believe that the scientific process has already resulted in an understanding of climate change that is increasingly robust and has withstood a number of challenges.

I believe this comprehensive energy legislation will open the door to a clean energy economy, allowing our nation to make the changes we need to provide energy that is clean, domestically-produced and affordable. And I see indications every day that the Research Triangle area of North Carolina is poised to be a major winner in this new, clean-energy economy.
I also believe that international agreements on mandatory, enforceable caps on greenhouse gas emissions are essential. In the meantime, the U.S. needs to enact laws -- and support state efforts -- to meet its obligations in this regard.

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