"Protecting our
environment and our historic landmarks is one of the greatest legacies that we
can leave the next generation." -- Congressman John B. Larson
Three of the most critical issues of our time are converging
and must be confronted simultaneously.
They are our environment, our foreign policy and our economy. It is clear that we must end our reliance on
foreign sources of fossil fuels. These
fuels are damaging our environment and causing hazardous climate change around
the globe. They are also making us
indebted to foreign countries, putting our national security in jeopardy. Americans are seeing record fluctuations in
the cost of energy; filling up the gas tank or heating a home has become difficult
to afford.
This is why I have focused on
ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower the price of energy, and invest
in renewable energy sources. In the short term, Congress must find
ways to reduce volatility in energy
prices, curb excess profits in the oil market and offer energy assistance when needed. That is why I introduced
legislation to regulate speculation in the energy futures market. But, we also must find long-term solutions
that will preserve our environment.
I have become convinced of
the need for comprehensive legislation to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases
we are emitting into the environment. So,
I introduced legislation called America's
Security Trust Fund that would create a carbon tax. The legislation
would tax polluters and their pollution and return that money to American
families through a payroll tax rebate.
I have also led the fight in Congress for funding and
research into hydrogen fuel cell
technology. Connecticut is the center of the fuel cell
industry. The
development of fuel cell technology can lead the way to energy independence and
grow our local and national economies.
As a member of the Select
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, I have had the
opportunity to take part in hearings and investigations to gather the information
we need to protect our environment. I
was even able to bring one of those hearings home to Hartford.
We gathered business leaders and academics at the Mark Twain House to
talk about the opportunities that exist in a new green economy.