It is particularly appropriate that on this 30th anniversary of Earth Day we have with us Senator Gaylord Nelson, the Chair of the very first Earth Day (1970).  That Earth Day first demonstrated the linkages between humans, their activities, and marine and terrestrial ecosystems.  Earth Day also launched the modern environmental movement and created the momentum that led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, along with environmental protection and human health standards. As we celebrate Earth Day, we should reflect on our responsibility for stewardship of our natural resources. We must work proactively to protect our environment now for the present and future generations.    

I also want to extend a special welcome to the distinguished Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson, EPA Administrator Carol Browner, and George Frampton, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  I also am pleased to have here today several of my distinguished colleagues from the House and Senate, as well as members from the environmental community.

I know that my colleagues and I will go home during the latter part of this month and hold Earth Day events in our districts to celebrate our nation’s environmental accomplishments and highlight the goals we still need to work together to achieve.  Here in Washington, the Earth Day Network2000 is holding a huge Earth Day event on the Mall with tents powered by renewable energy, and activities and entertainment throughout the day.   

Global climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today.  The past decade has seen some of the largest temperature increases on record.  The impacts of climate change could include more extreme weather events, sea level rise, erosion, changes in rainfall patterns, increases in disease epidemics, changes in agricultural production, and loss of marine and terrestrial species and ecosystems.  

Today, my colleagues and I will highlight for you our plans to continue to work toward securing a long-term, sustainable energy policy that promotes economic development AND protects our global environment.  Our efforts will focus on the following components:

The Earth Day Network’s Clean Energy Agenda, which highlights clean power, clean air, clean cars and clean investments for the 21st century.  We must actively promote the goals highlighted in this agenda.  To this end, I was one of the first Congressmembers to sign this agenda back in January. 

We also support the Administration’s budget request, which includes over $4 billion in tax credits over five years for consumers to purchase energy efficient homes, cars, appliances, and for producers of renewable energy.  The budget request also includes $1.4 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy technology research and development. 

On the legislative front, my colleagues and I have introduced and sponsored legislation to reduce power plant emissions, encourage utilities to generate more power from renewable energy sources, and increase efficiency.  We also have legislation that provides incentives to encourage the greater use of mass transit, as well as tax packages for wind production, electric vehicles, and other alternative energy technologies, fuels and vehicles.  I have a bill that sets ambitious, but achievable, goals to reduce emissions of NOx, SO2, carbon dioxide and mercury from power plants as we restructure the electric utility industry -- to “level the playing field” and eliminate incentives for consumers to purchase what would otherwise be cheaper, dirtier power.     

While the industrial and transportation sectors have been among the largest contributors to climate change, several industries have been out in front to reverse this trend, and grow our economy more sustainably.  BP Amoco, Royal Dutch/Shell and DuPont have agreed to specific emissions reductions targets on a worldwide basis.  Shell just announced yesterday its plans to increase its use of renewables. Entergy Corp., Baxter International and United Technologies Corp. have pledged to increase energy efficiency.  IBM and Johnson & Johnson have agreed to launch a program to make their emissions reductions verifiable by outside auditors.  GM has acknowledged that carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere could be changing the world's climate and has withdrawn from the coalition that has led opposition to the Kyoto Protocol.  Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG withdrew from that same coalition earlier this year.  And, I would like to highlight PSEG, which is the utility in my home state of New Jersey.  PSEG is one of only 4 companies nationwide chosen for its environmental excellence and that received a 2000 Ally of the Year Award.  PSEG was recognized by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Homes program for its role in bringing lower-cost, energy efficient housing to New Jersey and the market.  PSEG’s  program constructs homes that are at least 30% more efficient than the national Model Energy Code.   

On this 30th anniversary of Earth Day, we pledge to join the environmental and business communities in leading the effort to protect our environment, develop alternative energy sources, and continue our economic growth.  We will take the initiative to pass these bills and budgetary items, and prevent passage of harmful, anti-environmental “riders”.  We urge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to make a similar commitment and join us in protecting our environment and energy security for the next 30 years.