TRANSPARENCYandACCOUNTABILITY.ORG, “IT's OUR TURN”
27
Aug
Aug
We recently wrote Illinois Senator Dick Durbin urging his support of legislation to address our energy policy by supporting clean energy generation with renewable energy technologies while reducing the environmental impact and climate disruption caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The added benefit is creating clean energy jobs.
Below is Senator Durbin’s response – we appreciate Senator Durbin’s support!
Thank you for contacting me regarding comprehensive climate change legislation. I appreciate hearing from you.
Global climate change is one of the biggest environmental crises we face. Most scientists believe that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will raise the earth’s temperature by as much as three to ten degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century.
I believe Congress needs to take action to address climate change. Science has shown that we can’t afford to wait any longer. If we tackle the sources of carbon pollution and take steps to reduce the impacts of climate change, we can protect our environmental future while expanding our economy. However, if we choose to ignore climate change and its consequences, we are placing our planet and our future in grave danger and could face large-scale economic consequences that threaten our national security.
Senators Kerry and Lieberman have introduced legislation, known as the American Power Act, that would address climate change. The American Power Act would help our nation take meaningful steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by establishing a national pollution reduction target. Under the national target, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced 17 percent below the 2005 level by 2020, with the goal of reducing emissions by 83 percent by the year 2050.
In addition, the American Power Act would make a significant investment in the development of clean, domestic energy sources. By supporting renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and other clean energy technologies, this legislation will move our nation toward energy independence, strengthen our national security, and protect our environment. An investment in clean energy will also mean the creation of a wide range of new jobs here in the United States, jobs which cannot be outsourced.
Your voice is a valuable part of this discussion.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
Category : Energy Policy / Environment / Submittals
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