Holt Responds to Obama Climate Action Plan

Statement

Today, Rep. Rush Holt, an energy scientist who spent nearly a decade working at one of the nation's premier alternative energy research labs, attended President Obama's speech at Georgetown University and released the following statement on the President's Climate Action Plan.

"I commend President Obama for his leadership today in outlining a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon pollution and mitigate the threats of global climate change. The crisis in not waning. President Obama should do all he can administratively while Congress fiddles. We have to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

As elected representatives, we have a moral obligation to act. As the climate changes there will be stronger superstorms, worse floods, more withering droughts, and more intense wildfires. These natural disasters are already imposing horrific costs in dollars and lives.

The science is overwhelming, but many of my colleagues in Congress would prefer to deepen our dependence on fossil fuels.

It is no coincidence that as Democrats work to address climate change Republicans in the House continue to recklessly pursue their "drill, baby, drill" agenda at the expense of the American people and the planet. As important as today's announcement is there is still more to be done. As a scientist and an elected leader I support the President's plan and remain committed to even stronger legislative action in the fight against climate change."

Rep. Holt is a senior member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, where he serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources helping to develop a long-term strategy to decrease our nation's dependence on fossil fuels and protect our environment for future generations.

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