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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Seth Gladstone, sgladstone@fwwatch.org, 347.778.2866

Rep. Gabbard's Off Fossil Fuels Act Responds to Acute Climate Crisis

“This bill is the strongest, most ambitious climate and energy legislation ever introduced.”

WASHINGTON

Amid unfolding climate-related disasters - including catastrophic hurricanes and wildfires - Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) introduced on Friday the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (OFF Act). Among other things, this legislation would require: 100% clean, renewable energy-sourced electricity in America by 2035; a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects; a ban on fossil fuel exports; and 100% zero-emissions car sales by 2035. In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued this statement:

"Our climate crisis is acute. As we speak, Hurricane Irma is threatening access to food, water, and shelter -- and taking lives, just as Harvey did last week. The latest science shows that to have any reasonable chance of avoiding deeper climate chaos, we must transition away from fossil fuels immediately and aggressively. Big progress needs to be made in the next decade, and the transition must be complete by 2035. Representative Gabbard's OFF Act would mandate this rapid energy revolution, and we're proud to be working with her to move this critical legislation forward. This bill is the strongest, most ambitious climate and energy legislation ever introduced, and we must mobilize to make it the law of the land.

"As a nation, we are witnessing the devastation being brought by disasters from coast to coast. With a warming climate, these types of extreme weather catastrophes will become more frequent and more deadly. Now is indeed the time to talk about climate change, and now is the time to act.

"The OFF Act prioritizes a just transition to clean energy for communities of color and low-income areas on the front lines of climate and pollution fights, while avoiding ineffective market-based schemes like cap-and-trade in tackling the issue. Simply put, this legislation deals with global warming the only way possible: by attacking fossil fuel extraction and consumption at the source.

"This legislation comes as a growing chorus of individuals and organizations are calling for a quick transition to 100% renewable energy. Earlier this year, the National Conference of Mayors called for such a transition by 2035, and nearly 150 elected officials have signed Food & Water Action's Off Fossil Fuels pledge to oppose any new fossil fuel projects and move to 100% renewable energy by 2035. Before the bill has even been introduced, more than 100 organizations have already signed a letter calling on members of Congress to support the OFF Act.

"We are at a critical moment. As the fossil fuel industry poisons the planet, the Trump administration is emboldening climate deniers attacking our environment, our communities and our democracy. We need to embrace real solutions - now, not tomorrow. Food & Water Action will be working hard with our members and partners across the country to make the OFF Act a reality."

The bill is co-sponsored by: Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), and Keith Ellison (MN-05).

Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.

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