DeGette Supports Revitalizing Our Economy With Clean Energy Legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today supported H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 219 to 212.

"In the face of overwhelming data on climate change, the U.S. House has finally taken action," said Rep. DeGette. "This bill will unleash the entrepreneurial genius of America to address one of our greatest challenges."

"We went to great lengths in this legislation to protect American consumers, particularly low income families, from rising energy costs. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this legislation would cost the typical American household less than a postage stamp per day. But the cost of inaction on climate change is immeasurable."

The American Clean Energy and Security Act reduces global warming emissions by over 80 percent by 2050 and creates a renewable energy standard of 20 percent by 2020. It invests in new clean energy technologies and efficiencies such as carbon capture and sequestration, electric and other advanced technology vehicles and modernizing the electricity grid. It also has provisions to protect consumers from energy price increases and protect trade-vulnerable industries.

Click here to read the nonpartisan CBO's cost estimate. Click here to read the EPA's analysis of the legislation.