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Rep. McDermott Receives Clean Energy Champion Award from Public Power
February 27, 2008
For Immediate Release

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) was honored with an award as “Champion of Clean Energy Expansion” for his legislative efforts in Congress to shift America’s energy policy away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable and sustainable energy resources.

The award was presented by the American Public Power Association, which represents community and state-owned public power systems across the United States, with 10 of the top 100 systems in the state of Washington, including #9 Seattle City Light.

In accepting the award today before an audience of 500 Association members in Washington, D.C., Rep. McDermott said:

“Some scientists believe we have already waited too long to reverse global warming. I hope not for the sake of my children and grandchildren.

“I do know this. The lights will go off, so to speak, for the entire planet if we don’t act quickly and decisively.

“I choose to see the glass half full.

“That’s why I have introduced legislation that envisions a future America that relies on clean and renewable energy. Not pie in the sky, but wind turbines in the sky.

“And, solar, wave, biodiesel and so on.

“Furthermore, we need to produce energy by not using it to begin with, capturing all that wasted energy from inefficient homes and office buildings before it is wasted. I introduced legislation on that too.

“Making all this a reality will require new investments and that’s why I introduced legislation to extend and improve tax credits, and to improve tax credit bonds.

“America needs comprehensive energy legislation and Congress needs public power to help make it a reality.”

Shortly after accepting the award today, McDermott was on the House floor urging passage of legislation he helped write that would eliminate a taxpayer subsidy that oil companies receive and using the money to develop clean and renewable energy supplies.