“This morning, Chairmen Waxman and Markey unveiled a discussion draft that is a starting point for the House’s work on comprehensive energy legislation. This step follows the commitment made in the President’s budget – as well as the budget we will consider this week in the House - to transition away from our dependence on foreign oil and invest in the development of cleaner and more efficient sources of energy.

 

“Energy legislation is critical in our efforts to rebuild the economy. Through this initiative we will help build a reliable market for private sector investment in energy technologies and development, create new ‘green collar’ jobs for American workers, and help households, communities and businesses use energy more efficiently and participate in the transition to a clean energy future.

 

“I am particularly pleased that the draft includes provisions to address forest carbon as part of the section designed to limit and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. I was joined by a group of colleagues in urging that both offsets and direct investments in forest carbon be used as a responsible, low-cost and realistic option to reduce global emissions from the forest sector.  Such provisions, which are supported by a broad coalition of companies and environmental organizations, will encourage and support developing country participation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and will be important as businesses and other entities work to reduce emissions in a cost-effective way.
 
“Over the next two months, Chairmen Waxman and Markey will be working with Congressman Dingell, Congressman Boucher, and all the members of the committee, to build broad consensus around final energy legislation with a goal of reporting a bill out of committee by Memorial Day.”