Rep. Doris Matsui Supports Comprehensive Clean Energy Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 26, 2009

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Rep. Doris Matsui Supports Comprehensive Clean Energy Bill
Landmark Legislation Will Create Clean Energy Jobs, Reduce America's Dependence on Foreign Oil and Protect Our Environment

Representative Doris Matsui (CA-05) voted in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. ACES is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that charts a new course towards a clean energy economy by providing strategic investments in clean energy infrastructure, creating new jobs on American soil, and building upon the progress being made to build a clean energy economy in communities like Sacramento.

"By investing in clean energy, we are creating new jobs by facilitating and encouraging the construction of wind turbines, solar panels, and further research in all of these fields," said Congresswoman Matsui. "This is an energy plan and a jobs plan - by making these investments now, we can regain our competitiveness in the world by producing clean energy here at home."

Currently, China, Denmark and Germany are the leading exporters of alternative energy, and the U.S. continues to depend on oil from the Middle East to meet our energy needs. Under the American Clean Energy and Security Act, we will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, reduce our carbon emissions, and invest in the ingenuity and entrepreneurship that the American people are known for throughout the world.

ACES includes key provisions that will produce enormous benefits for the Sacramento region. Congresswoman Matsui had provisions included in the legislation which will help protect Sacramentans from the dangers of floods, focus on the public health threats caused by global warming, create more efficient and safer transportation policy, and good clean energy jobs in new industries throughout Sacramento.

"I am thrilled that Sacramento's priorities are reflected in this legislation and that today Democrats in Congress have put America on a path to a healthier economy and a cleaner planet" said Rep. Matsui. "It is imperative that we address the real threats that climate change poses in regards to flooding and public health, and that we invest in sound transportation policy and clean energy jobs that will help revitalize our economy and reduce our carbon emissions at the same time."

The legislation also includes Congresswoman Matsui's Smart Planning for Smart Growth Act, H.R. 1780, which aligns infrastructure and land use planning with greenhouse gas reduction goals to preserve resources and fight climate change. This provision, Section 222 of the bill, promotes regional transportation plans and builds off the positive land-use model currently being implemented in the Sacramento region. Sacramento's Blueprint is an example of how individual communities across the country can achieve much-needed emissions reductions by aligning their land-use policies with greenhouse gas-reduction goals.

"The comprehensive clean energy legislation will spark a clean energy transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens our planet and future generations. This Congress' commitment to putting America on a path toward energy independence will allow our children and grandchildren to live in a country that is more sustainable, more economically viable, and more efficient than the country we live in today. And for my hometown of Sacramento, which is severely affected by the harmful impacts of climate change, this bill is more than an achievement; it is a necessity," Matsui continued.

For the full text of Congresswoman Matsui's opening and closing statements on the American Clean Energy and Security Act delivered from the House floor today, please view the following links:

6.26.09_matsui_opening_statement_on_american_clean_energy_and_security_act

6.26.09_matsui_closing_statement_on_american_clean_energy_and_security_act

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