Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward J. Markey have released a draft of clean energy legislation that is designed to create jobs, help end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and combat global warming. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that charts a new course toward a clean energy economy.
ACES will create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, enhance America's energy independence and cut global warming pollution, according to Waxman and Markey. To meet these goals, the legislation has four titles:
– a clean energy title that promotes renewable sources of energy, carbon capture and sequestration technologies, low-carbon fuels, clean electric vehicles, and the smart grid and electricity transmission;
– an energy efficiency title that increases energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, including buildings, appliances, transportation and industry;
– a global warming title that places limits on emissions of heat-trapping pollutants; and
– a transitioning title that protects U.S. consumers and industry and promotes green jobs during the transition to a clean energy economy.
The Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to complete consideration of the legislation by Memorial Day.
SOURCE: Energy and Commerce Committee
