Sapphire Energy President CJ Warner says algae based energy development facilities are thriving in New Mexico. (0:13)

 

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By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The energy and climate debate is making its way to the Senate, just two legislative days after the House passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill. The Committee on Environment and Public Works heard from White House and other government officials Tuesday. They highlighted the importance of making the U.S. a leader in the clean energy market, reducing the effects of global warming, and creating new jobs in the process.

“Clean energy is to this decade, and the next, what the Space Race was to the 1950s and ‘60s. America is behind,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “American businesses need strong incentives and investments now in order for this nation to lead the twenty-first century global economy.”

Other officials present included: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Chu said that he applauds the House for passing the clean energy bill and said he looks forward to working with the Senate to pass “comprehensive energy legislation.” He also noted that denial of the climate change problem will not change the outcome but comprehensive legislation that caps and then reduces carbon emissions will.

Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said, “I expect you will hear fierce words of doubt and fear and worse from the other side of the aisle regarding our legislative efforts to move forward with clean energy jobs legislation. This is consistent with a pattern of “No we can’t.” I believe this Committee, when the votes are eventually taken on our bill, will reflect our President’s attitude, which is “Yes, we can, and yes, we will.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) agreed that the bill will pass through their committee but he does not believe it will pass on the Senate floor. He said the Senators will have more time to review the many points of the legislation than House members did prior to their June 25 vote.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) also testified Tuesday and stressed the importance of informing the public about the facts of energy policy.

“The gigantic effect of energy policy on American life means Congress should work particularly hard to ensure Americans know the facts about the policies Congress is considering. To the contrary, the House of Representatives added more than 300 pages of its 1200 page energy bill a few hours before it was brought to the floor and passed. That is just the opposite,” said the Governor.

Kurt Davies, research director of Greenpeace, explains the environmental benefits which will come about if the economic stimulus package is passed. (00:29)

 

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Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hosted a conference call on the upcoming National Clean Energy Summit which will be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Mid-August. Reid said one only needs to look at a corner gas station to know that the energy crisis is serious. The summit on clean energy can lead to developments that are good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for jobs.

Dan Weiss, Senior Fellow and Director of Climate Strategy at the Center for American Progress, said the summit’s goal is to develop a consensus on energy policies for the next President that participants can bring to their respective party conventions next month.

Former President Bill Clinton said the government needs to take a leading role in making a commitment to a national clean energy policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clinton said he is particularly excited about the summit bringing together the leaders and the American community to solve the climate crisis. Reid said the American people are overwhelmingly supportive of renewable energy, and that he is aware that a “drill, drill, drill” policy will not make gas prices any lower. (23:33)

 

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Jack Huttner, Vice President of Biorefinery Business Development at Genencor, describes how the unused cobs and stalks of corn can be used to produce biofuels, which would increase the output of each acre of corn and help tame food prices. (0:36)

 

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Dan Lashof, climate center director at the Natural Resources Defense Coucil spoke today on a new report about job opportunitites for a green economy. Ther report shows that an investment in green jobs will reduce pollution, dependence on oil, reduced energy bills and more green jobs with skills millions of American workers already have. (0:57)

 

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The Center for American Progress and the Natural Resources Defense Council met today to discuss a new report called “Job Opportunities for the Green Economy.” The report, that was released today, shows that a great number of workers in electricity, construction, steel and many others will still be involved in green activities.

“Green jobs will not just be in one niche of the economy, these are not niche jobs, these are mainstream jobs,” said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. (more…)