Energy & Environment

Statement on the American Clean Energy and Security Act

The 12th Congressional District is a diverse, beautiful and technologically progressive region bordered by the San Francisco Bay on the East and the mighty Pacific Ocean to the West. As such, it is at the forefront of efforts to transform our country to a clean energy economy and to preserve our environment for future generations.

As a lifelong resident of the District, I understand the important role that protecting our environment and natural resources plays in our country's economy and security. That is why one of my top priorities in Congress is fighting for policies that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, foster economic growth through clean and renewable sources of energy, create millions of green collar jobs, safeguard our air and water from pollution, and save consumers billions of dollars through energy efficiency.

The world scientific community has concluded that heat-trapping gases caused by human activities are responsible for rising global temperatures. If unchecked, this climate change will lead to devastating impacts on the ecosystems and resources we depend upon, from increased air pollution to more severe droughts, wildfires, storms and floods, as well as growing human health problems from the spread of tropical illnesses. Locally, rising sea levels caused by the rapid deterioration of polar ice shelves will inundate low-lying areas of San Mateo County and render most of San Francisco International Airport unusable.

Fortunately, we are beginning to realize that the cost of action is a bargain compared to doing nothing and that real solutions to climate change will bring great improvements to our economy and our everyday lives.

Many solutions have come from the innovative and entrepreneurial minds of 12th District residents. Now is the time to incentivize research, development and deployment of wind, solar, geothermal, advanced biofuel and other clean energy technologies to break our oil addiction and bring the United States into 21st century energy security.

These are just a few of the ways we can achieve these goals:

• Fund clean-energy training programs to create new, green collar jobs

• Invest in state-of-the-art smart grid technology to curb emissions from
  power plants and modernize our national electric grid

• Boost energy efficiency of all government facilities and assist 
  communities to retrofit schools, hospitals and other public buildings

• Fight for stringent emissions and fuel economy standards to transform
  our auto fleet and bring fuel-efficient cars to market

• Protect California’s beautiful coast and natural resources from oil
  drilling, pollution and overdevelopment

• End tax breaks for Big Oil and reinvest in America’s colleges and
  universities to produce the next generation of scientists and engineers

• Re-engage in international climate negotiations to, once again, lead
  the world by example

• Enact a cap and trade system to encourage lower carbon emissions
  and invest in clean energy development

Our country is in the midst of a dire economic crisis, but we have confronted great challenges before. I am convinced that American ingenuity and can-do thinking, backed up by government action, will lift us out of this crisis and secure our clean energy future.