Congresswoman Matsui Elected Vice-Chair of Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 19, 2012
CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Elected Vice-Chair of Sustainable Energy andamp; Environment Coalition
Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) was elected to serve as a Vice-Chair on the Sustainable Energy andamp; Environment Coalition (SEEC). Established in January 2009 at the start of the 111th Congress, SEEC's mission is to advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create green collar jobs, and advance policies to help combat global warming and protect our nation's clean air, water and natural environment.
"I am excited to take on the role of Vice-Chair for SEEC, and to continue to advocate for investments in our nation's clean energy sector that can and will create much-needed jobs, help keep our country competitive, and reduce our dependence on oil - foreign and domestic," said Congresswoman Matsui.
During the 111th Congress, SEEC was instrumental in shaping the Recovery Act and the historic investments that bill made in renewable energy and energy efficiency. They were also integral to passing cap-and-trade legislation through the House, as well as passing legislation to respond to the Gulf oil spill, to support domestic energy innovation, and to create jobs in America's clean energy sector. In the 112th Congress, SEEC has continued to fight for investments in America's clean energy sector, to reduce our nation's oil dependence, and to uphold the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, Congresswoman Matsui has been an active and vocal supporter of America's clean energy sector, and has consistently fought to protect the nation's environment. In the 112th Congress, she has put forth two pieces of clean energy legislation, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, and the Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act, that would help our nation's clean energy companies get the federal support and the access to capital they need to grow and expand. She also been a leading advocate to restore the PACE program. Additionally, Congresswoman Matsui has worked to leverage the investment that the Recovery Act made in Sacramento's clean energy sector to make the city America's andlsquo;Clean Tech Capital.'
Matsui added, "The work that Congress does now on energy and environment issues will determine so much for America's future - from our public health to our economic stability. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on SEEC to ensure we are setting our country up for success in these areas."
Congresswoman Matsui joins Congresswoman Chelle Pingree (D-ME), Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) as Vice-Chairs. Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) is Co-Founder and Co-Chair, and Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) have been elected to join him as the new Co-Chairs.
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