Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Sutton (D-OH) released the following statement in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Today, the U. S. House of Representatives passed and I voted for H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. This bill will spur needed economic development in Ohio and break the stranglehold of our dependence on foreign regimes for energy by putting us on a path toward a more prosperous and clean energy future.

The incentives in this legislation for clean energy technologies and energy efficiency will create new industries and jobs. This bill will help revitalize American manufacturing, strengthen our national security through greater energy independence, and secure a cleaner environment worthy of our children and grandchildren.

We cannot afford to fail to act. The status quo is not the right choice. We must unleash the pent up entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that has made our country great and open the door to much needed economic opportunities for our citizens. This bill is part of that mission. It is not the entire answer to all that ails us, but let there be no mistake, this is a jobs bill.

This legislation has the support of groups that represent workers. The United Steelworkers, the United Auto Workers, the Service Employees International Union, the Communication Workers of America, the Building and Construction Trades, and the AFL-CIO urged a yes vote on this bill.

These times are very difficult for many of the families that I have the great honor to represent. Too many are looking for jobs and can't find them. The inaction of the past has cost them and all of us dearly. We must act today to change the failed energy policies of the past and to embrace the potential before us.

There are some who argue that this bill is not perfect and therefore should be rejected. They say it won't do this or it won't do that. And, although this bill won't solve every problem the minute it is passed, the failure to try, the failure to act, is not a worthy option.

We must act. Yes, we will need to continue to work to perfect the policies in the days, months, and years ahead. Our responsibility and mission does not end here; we can and must step forward toward our potential and a more abundant and secure future.

What has inaction brought us? Has it lowered our electricity rates? Has it lowered the price at the pump, which hit $4 per gallon last summer? Has it stopped the fluctuation of the price at the pump or reduced our reliance on foreign regimes for energy? Has it made us more secure or independent as a nation? Has it provided us with the promise of much needed jobs for the present and future?
 

We can do better, but we can't get there by standing still. This bill will lead to good-paying jobs that can't be shipped overseas. In Northeast Ohio, long established and new companies alike are advancing opportunities in clean energy technologies and jobs. To realize the full potential of the jobs that can be generated, these businesses, both small and large, need the critical incentives and market signals provided in this bill.

We have also worked to secure safeguards in this bill in the form of guaranteed allowances for our energy intensive, trade sensitive industries to protect existing U.S. jobs and manufacturing production. And, this bill provides incentives to help our automakers transition to production of cleaner, electric and advanced technology vehicles. This will shore up thousands of jobs that Ohio families depend upon for their livelihoods.

This bill also contains consumer safeguards including tax credits, protections against price spikes, and cost-saving energy technologies that will save consumers money long into the future.

We must continue to monitor and perfect our policies as we move forward to make sure that we are accomplishing our goals. This is not the end of our work on our important mission to restore our economy and spur clean energy jobs right here in America. But, it is an extremely important step toward a clean energy future, powered by American workers, which will reduce our dependence on foreign energy and give our children and grandchildren a cleaner and more promising future.