Congresswoman Matsui Statement on President's Climate Change Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 25, 2013

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
202-225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on President's Climate Change Address

Rep. Matsui is a long time advocate for addressing climate change; Authored legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and strengthen our clean energy economy

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06), member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, member of the Bicameral Climate Task Force and Safe Climate Caucus, and vice-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), issued the following statement on the President's plan to cut carbon pollution:

"I am pleased that President Obama is addressing the issue of climate change and is proposing a plan to cut carbon pollution. Climate change is real and has been ignored for far too long. The science is clear on this issue: our rapidly changing climate is having profound impacts, and failure to take action will result in drastic economic and environmental effects. The U.S. needs to be a leader and demonstrate global leadership if we are to truly address climate change.

"In Sacramento, and in California, our local utilities and companies are leading the way in reducing carbon pollution, thereby improving our environment and public health. However, there is much work to be done at the national level on this critical issue.

"As a member of the Bicameral Climate Task Force, I am working with my Democratic colleagues to raise awareness and implement policies to address climate change. It is my hope that House Republicans will quit denying what science - and our own experiences - tell us, and work with us in a bipartisan manner to urgently address climate change. We owe it to the American people now, and for future generations, to act swiftly."

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Congresswoman supported the Waxman-Markey climate bill in 2009. The bill would have reduced carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. She also has authored legislation and promoted initiatives, in Congress and at home in Sacramento, that would reduce greenhouse gases and strengthen our clean energy economy. She is the author of H.R. 400 and H.R. 1138, legislation that would boost the competitiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry both domestically and overseas, and help small businesses in the clean energy sector access financing, respectively. She has authored H.R. 1807, the TREES Act, legislation that would help utilities establish tree planting programs to help lower residential energy bills and improve our air quality. She has also authored H.R. 2468, the Safe Streets Act, to encourage smart growth and provide cleaner and greener alternative transportation options.

Congresswoman Matsui has long been an advocate for addressing climate change. As a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, a group of House Democrats committed to speaking about climate change every day on the House floor, she has highlighted the negative impacts of climate change and urged her colleagues to take action.

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