Prior to serving in Congress, I spent more than 20 years working in wind energy and with other forms of new energy technology.  I know that global warming is one of the most critical issues we face.  Increasingly there is momentum in the Congress to address the issue in a meaningful way.

This winter, Speaker Nancy Pelosi created the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.  It is called a “select committee” because it is temporary – lasting only one Congressional cycle, and because its purpose is to investigate, learn, and raise awareness of just how critical these issues are, as opposed to introducing legislation.

Investigating all aspects of global warming is particularly important to me.  I plan to focus on questions such as how serious a threat global warming is; what the scientific facts are about the buildup of carbon dioxide, methane, and other heat trapping gasses; what the impact on the climate will be and where we are in the process; and what the anthropomorphic versus natural sources of heat trapping gasses are.  In addition, I will concentrate on solutions and answer questions about strategies to deal with global warming and how they should be implemented.

House committees typically meet on a regular basis to hold hearings to prepare legislation for consideration by the House. The Select Committee does not have the responsibility to create its own legislation, so the committee’s hearings have included expert witness panels focusing on a particular topic, such as the viability of plug-in hybrids, the recent Supreme Court decision relating to the EPA, “green collar” job creation, and the dangers of global warming.

One of the committee’s hearings, on June 19, was about local mayoral initiatives to reduce global warming.  It featured Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, Mayor Tom Potter of Portland, Oregon, and Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan of Gainesville, Florida. These mayors presented a cross-section of cities, from small to large, all of which had made significant strides within their municipalities toward reducing the generation of greenhouse gasses.  While worldwide cities account for only 2 percent of land mass, they account for 78 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.  Increasingly, communities are aware of their contributions to global warming and cities – like the ones represented at the hearing – are responding to the need for change.

Chicago has set a goal to buy 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources – a goal that is likely to be met this year.  Chicago has also aggressively pursued a tree-planting program and was the first city to use hydrogen-fueled buses. 

In the past few years, Portland has seen a $15 million drop in the cost of the city’s electricity bills through conservation programs.  In addition, the city is pursuing options to provide all city facilities and operations with 100 percent renewable power. 

Gainesville has made extensive efforts to conserve property in the city, particularly that which is environmentally sensitive.  Also, Gainesville’s municipally owned utility, has implemented aggressive goals for reducing energy consumption among users.  It also regularly purchases energy from renewable sources.

The solutions that each of the mayors explained represent some of the most cutting edge and common sense thinking about how to reverse the impact of climate change. 

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2008, 11th Congressional District of California