cap and trade
Congressional Action Alert: Support Climate and Energy Legislation
UPDATE: US HOUSE PASSES H.R. 2454 American Clean Energy and Security Act 219-212.
All Texas Republicans voted NO
Three Texas Democrats voted NO: Edwards, Ortiz and Rodriguez.
All other Texas Democrats voted YES.
Find out about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) here
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the "Waxman Markey" climate and energy bill as early as next week, before leaving town for the July 4th recess. The bill, named the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), would cap US greenhouse gas emissions and move the US toward a renewable energy future.
A new report by the federal US Global Change Research Program shows that climate change is already having visible impacts in the United States and Texas. The report found that global warming has already raised average winter temperatures in Texas and the Great Plains by more than 6 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 30 years. If global warming pollution continues under the report’s high emissions scenario, scientists expect Texas to experience the following impacts:
- Average temperatures will increase between 4.5°F and 9°F of average warming by the 2080s
- Sea level rise in the Gulf Coast is projected to be as high as 2 to 4 feet by 2050 to 2100, increasing the risk of flooding and catastrophic damage to buildings and infrastructure
- The risk of major hurricanes is likely to be exacerbated, posing a serious risk to people, personal property and public infrastructure
- Projected increases in temperature and drought frequency will add more stress to already overtaxed water sources
Faith Statements on the "American Clean Energy and Security Act"
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
National Energy and Climate Bill Would Help Texas
Addressing Faith Community’s Equity Concerns in Waxman-Markey Bill Would Help Texans
Find out about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Texas faith communities know that energy and global warming are not isolated issues, but instead impact every other area of human life, from the health care ministries treating children with pollution-induced asthma…to the youth groups flocking to the coast on hurricane-recovery missions…to local interfaith low-income weatherization projects…and more.
We are excited at the potential in the Waxman Markey discussion draft bill the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. We believe the Waxman Markey bill will afford important opportunities for Texas to remain a global energy leader as we transition to a clean energy economy while maintaining important safeguards for all members of the community including existing industries and low-income Texans.
Positive Aspects of Waxman Markey for Texas
• National renewable energy standard will help builds Texas’ renewable industries
• Growth in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors will create more than 60,000 new jobs in Texas.
• Pollution reduction from clean energy and renewables will help Texas nonattainment areas come into compliance with federal clean air laws.
• Increased energy efficiency will reduce future demand on ratepayers by reducing growth in peak electric demand and diminishing future need for new generation.
Improvements Needed in Waxman Markey to Benefit Texas
• 100% auction of carbon credits is needed to ensure that funds are available to level energy costs for low-income rate payers and other adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• Any carbon offsets provided in the bill should be mandated to be of uniformly high quality so that Texas energy producers can compete on a level playing field.
• No new coal plants should be permitted without carbon capture and sequestration technology—allowing old-style plants to be brought online will obligate ratepayers for years of ongoing maintenance and operations for technology that cannot be economically viable in a new energy economy.
