Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following statement on draft legislation put forward by Chairmen Waxman and Markey, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES), during a Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing today:

“Mr. Chairman – thank you for holding this hearing today. 

“Climate change is one of the most serious issues facing us today.  The affect the legislation discussed this week will have on both the environment and the economy cannot be overstated.  The fact that the Committee is dedicating such time and going through regular order is of the utmost importance and both you and Chairman Waxman are to be commended for your handling of these matters.  You are also to be commended for the outreach you have both done to members of the Committee to understand the issues each one of us faces in our unique and geographically and economically diverse districts.

“In reading through the legislation and talking to stakeholders over the recess, overall I am impressed with the draft bill before us.  Of course, the question of auction verses allocation still lies before us and that is a very serious question – some would even say deal breaker – for many members. 

“I remain concerned about the aggressive nature of the Renewable Electricity Standard as written in the draft.  While a strong renewable standard is critically important as we move forward, and would certainly go a long way in preventing the “dash to gas”, I worry that 25 percent in 15 years might be a bit more than some states can handle.  One possible solution to this would be to back nuclear out of the baseline, as has been done for waste to energy and existing hydro.  It is my sincere hope that we can work together to find a standard that is workable and achievable.

“I would also like to work with you and Chairman Waxman on the provisions dealing with autos.  Included in this legislation, I would like to see a doubling of the authorization for the Department of Energy’s Section 136 Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program.  This program has proved wildly successful and applications to date far outweigh current funding levels.  I would also propose dedicating 1 % of the allowance value as a direct funding source for Section 136, and generally for retooling to help the domestic auto industry meet the higher fuel economy standard.

“In addition, I would like to see the inclusion of the so called “cash for clunkers” bill.  Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you and other Members of this Committee as we work towards compromise language between the Sutton bill and the Inslee bill.  Any compromise must favor automobiles built in the United States and not exacerbate the competitive disadvantages our domestic auto industry already faces. 

“I also want to applaud Representative Doyle for his work on ensuring the United States manufacturing is not placed at a competitive disadvantage as a result of this legislation.  I support your efforts and will continue to do so.

“Finally, Mr. Chairman, as we move forward, I remain committed to securing a dedicated fund for natural resource adaptation.  As we heard in testimony before the Subcommittee during a hearing on adaptation, the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change noted, “observational evidence from all continents and most oceans shows that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases.”

“In that same report, we are warned that in the lifetime of a child born today, 20 to 30 percent of the world’s plant and animal species will be on the brink of extinction if we don’t take action now.  The great conservationist and the 26th President of these United States, Theodore Roosevelt, taught us that conservation is a great moral issue – that it is our duty, as it insures the safety and continuance of the nation.

“Mr. Chairman, I look forward to hearing from the many witnesses over the next several days and to working with you as we continue work to address climate change in a manner which protects the environment and protects jobs and the economy.”

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