Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Bill is Introduced in the Senate

The Natural Resources Defense Council welcomes the introduction of
the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act by Senators Barbara Boxer
(D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA).

Following is a statement by Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

"This
bill will help curb climate change, strengthen our economy, and make
our country more secure. It will help generate jobs, reduce our
reliance on foreign oil and create a healthier future for all of us.
And it will put Americans back to work, making our country the world
leader in the green technologies that are driving growth in the global
marketplace."

"We are optimistic that the calls for
clean energy and climate solutions across the country -- including
support from business leaders, national security experts,
entrepreneurs, labor, faith groups, veterans, and many others - will
lead to action by the full Senate."

"This is the right
step at the right time. It confronts the growing problem of global
warming head-on - before it's too late to avoid the worst impacts of
climate change. It calls for a 20-percent cut in carbon emissions by
2020. That's a strong and achievable goal. It will reduce the carbon
pollution that causes global warming, while accelerating the move to a
clean energy future for our country."

"A new analysis
from UC Berkeley confirms that clean energy and climate legislation can
strengthen our economy and create jobs. According to the report,
comprehensive energy legislation with strong efficiency measures can
create as many as 1.9 million jobs between 2010 and 2020."