WASHINGTON, D.C. –– "Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you, Mr. Markey, and the very capable and hardworking staff on the committee for the great effort all of you have demonstrated in reaching out and making this a very collaborative and inclusive process.
"I also applaud you, Mr. Chairman, for personally meeting with me to discuss the issues I addressed in the letter I sent to you on April 30th, which outlined the priorities that were so important to me and my constituents.
"This is a good bill, Mr. Chairman, a very good bill. This bill addresses my most pressing concern that provisions to assist low-, moderate-, and middle-income families are included through a variety of mechanisms.
"This legislation helps families pay for rising energy costs associated with this bill by offering allowances to electric and natural gas utilities in order to help them subsidize consumers' energy bills.
"However, as the Center for Budget Policy and Priorities, whom I have worked closely with, noted in their report, rising energy bills would only account for part of the costs that low-income families will face.
"So the inclusion of allowances for direct support through rebates and EBT cards to low-income families is something that I pushed for and I am very happy to see that it is included as a part of this bill, Mr. Chairman.
"I am also encouraged by your pledge to work with me on addressing my other priorities, including ensuring that new, quality green jobs for low-income communities, as well as funding for minority- and women-owned businesses will also be a result of this bill.
"The inclusion of language from my office establishing the Low-Income Community Energy Efficiency Program, or LICEEP program, is a great start to addressing these concerns.
"The LICEEP program will provide grants to private, non-profit, mission-driven community development organizations, including community development corporations and community development financial institutions in order to increase the flow of capital and benefits to low-income communities, as well as minority- and woman-owned entrepreneurs and businesses.
"This will spur new projects and activities in low-income communities designed to reduce environmental degradation, foster energy conservation and efficiency, and create job and business opportunities for local residents.
"But there is still more that needs to be done to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and communities are given a fair opportunity to access funding and bring jobs into their communities.
"So, Mr. Chairman, I look forward to continuing to work with you and your staff to address these issues further, and I also look forward to a vigorous and constructive debate as we seek to create new jobs, rejuvenate our environment, and move America into energy efficiency and security. With that I yield back my time."
NOTE: A link to a copy of Chairman Rush's letter to Chairmen Waxman and Markey is provided here:
