Green Day: The Clean Energy and Security Act
On June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that is designed to help regulate greenhouse gases and address the issue of climate change in our country. This initiative marks the first time that either house of Congress has voted in favor of a bill created to lower the amount of harmful gases our country produces.
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The bill was written by Henry A. Waxman, Democrat Representative of California, and Edward J. Mackey, Democrat Representative of Massachusetts. Waxman is currently chairman of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Markley holds the position of chairman for the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, a division of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The American Clean Energy and Security Bill is often referred to by its authors’ names and called the Waxman-Markey Bill.
What are the bill’s goals?
The American Clean Energy and Security Bill was partially created to establish the United States’ stance on climate change. In December of 2009, world leaders are scheduled to begin international relations on a new climate change treaty.
By passing this bill, the House of Representatives has established the fact that the United States is dedicated to changing its stance on and regulation of harmful greenhouse gases.
The bill proposes a system involving caps and trade that would allow the government to set limits on the amount of greenhouse gases – particularly carbon dioxide – that can be emitted in the United States. Companies would be able to buy or sell permits to emit these gases.
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After every company is evenly distributed a certain allowance or rights to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases, they will be able to sell or purchase additional rights to or from other companies. This plan would limit the new total emissions created in the United States from 2012-2050.
Other elements of the American Clean Energy and Security Act include:
- Provisions requiring 20% of the electricity supplied by electric companies to come from renewable energy sources by 2020
- Investing $90 billion in renewable energy by 2025
- Investing $60 billion in carbon capture and sequestration
- Investing $20 billion in electric and other alternative fuels for automobiles
- Investing $20 billion in basic energy-related scientific research and development
- New laws to protect consumers from energy price increases
The American Clean Energy and Security Act is currently waiting for approval from the United States Senate.
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