Washington, DC - Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks in support of the “American Clean Energy and Security Act.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

“Is the bill before us perfect?  No. But I have long told my friends on both the right and the left, we must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

“The legislation before us is largely based on the recommendations of USCAP, a diverse group of environmental groups and industry with a shared desire for a commonsense bill to address climate change.

“One might ask why such a diverse group would agree on a matter like this.  Well, the answer is three-fold:

1.      There is scientific consensus that we need to address climate change quickly and effectively.
2.      We need, and industry needs, certainty.  Without this certainty, expansion and new investment is not going to happen.
3.      Actions by the Supreme Court which led to the recent endangerment finding by EPA makes it critically important we act.  If we do not, we will face regulation under the Clean Air Act – and I assure you, the Clean Air Act was not designed to regulate greenhouse gases.

“I am pleased with the provisions of the bill to protect consumers – the legislation will cost consumers on average only $175 per year – and protect American manufacturing and pave the way for the green jobs of the future.   In fact, my home state of Michigan just had some wonderful news today: General Electric has decided to locate a new research & development facility, working on renewable energy technologies and other green jobs in the 15th District, which I have the honor of representing.  We have the best workers in the world in Michigan and I look forward to many more green job announcements just like this thanks to provisions in this bill.  However, job protection and creation warrants a very watchful eye to ensure the United States does not face job leakage and these matters will need to be readdressed if we do see such consequences.

“We have seen remarkable innovations from our automakers and this bill builds on those successes by providing allowance values for retooling existing plants to make the cars of the future and new, green job creation here at home.    

“I am very pleased the bill includes an amendment I offered to establish a Clean Energy Bank.  As we transition to clean energy, we must fund the R&D as well as deployment of these energy sources to meet the mounting demand for zero-carbon technology to dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

“Finally, I am very pleased that this bill includes a dedicated allowance for natural resource adaptation.  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.

“This is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to support it.”

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