Groups Call of Congress to Repower America with Clean Energy, and Thank Representative Bobby Scott for his Leadership

Hampton, VA – On Friday June 26 th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), historic legislation that creates a framework for building a clean energy economy and increasing our energy independence.

Today, local business leaders, members of the armed forces, environmental groups, and local elected officials gathered in order to draw attention to this legislation and congratulate Congressional Representative Bobby Scott for voting “yes” on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

“Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a bold step towards insuring that the United States will be energy independent and a world leader in clean, green energy technology,” said Congressman Bobby Scott. “The American Clean Energy and Security Act will further revitalize our economy by creating millions of new jobs, further secure our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and ensure that we leave behind a cleaner world for our children and grandchildren.”

Undoubtedly, the American Clean Energy and Security Act has the potential to jumpstart our struggling economy. If passed, the act could require that Virginia and other states provide 20% of their energy through renewables and energy efficiency. This unprecedented requirement would allow Virginians to take advantage of offshore wind power, solar power, innovative biofuels, and the newest energy efficiency technology, ultimately allowing us to create thousands of new jobs and actually save Virginians money.

In fact, the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the typical cumulative savings from implementing the energy efficiency standards proposed in ACES alone are estimated to be $750 per household by 2020 and $3,900 per household by 2030. Additionally, a recent report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that passing ACES would cut costs in the Mid-Atlantic region by $1,120 per household annually and save consumers and business a total of $36 billion annually in 2030.

In contrast, a new report by Environment Virginia, The High Cost of Fossil Fuels: Why America Can’t Afford to Depend on Dirty Energy, estimates that the cumulative costs of inaction for Virginians between 2010 and 2030, could be as much as $738.1 billion – 3.2 times the total earnings for all Virginia workers in 2007 and the total amount spent on oil, coal, and other fossil fuels. Ultimately, this equates to Virginians spending as much as $1,193 per person every year on fossil fuels in 2030, if we stay on our current energy path.

But as JR Tolbert from Environment Virginia noted, “This Independence Day, we are calling on Congress to declare our independence from Big Oil and Dirty Coal!”

Surprisingly, in 2006, U.S. consumers and businesses spent $921 billion on fossil fuels – more that was spent on education or the military. The country is on track to spend between $23 trillion and $30 trillion on fossil fuels between 2010 and 2030, the high end of which is more than double the nation’s total economic output in 2007.

“Instead of allowing the costs of fossil fuels to continue to mount, Congress should repower America with clean, renewable energy that will create jobs and stop global warming,” Said JR Tolbert.

Fortunately, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, supported by Congressman Bobby Scott and four other Representatives, provides the framework for long-lasting, economically profitable, and environmental-friendly solutions.

“This bill will not only make polluters pay for the damage they cause, it will most importantly take the burden off of working families. When we invest on energy efficiency, and limit our reliance on foreign oil, we will no longer have so many families making the choice to heat or eat,” said Jessica Lee, of the VA League of Conservation Voters.

“When the choice is between skyrocketing cost for oil and dirty fuels that threaten our security and our health, or clean, American made energy, the choice is pretty simple,” said Randy Flood with the Green Jobs Alliance. “We had today’s event at the Green Careers Center because they have helped people all around Hampton Roads to work in green jobs, and we expect to see those opportunities multiply as new legislation gets passed.”

Jim Gould of the VA Chapter of the Sierra Club, “We applaud Rep. Scott for supporting green jobs and clean energy and discouraging the costly and dangerous status quo. However, the bill is not perfect, we’ll have to work diligently with Senators Webb and Warner to ensure they support this legislation; legislation that will allow Virginians and Americans with the opportunity to capitalize off of a clean energy economy that will improve our quality of life by reducing the harmful effects of global warming.”

Contact: Jim Gould, Sierra Club – VA Chapter, 804-225-9113 X105, jim.gould@sierraclub.org