Posted on 06/29/2009 1:35:51 PM PDT by Jacquerie
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL) 2nd Congressional district, today voted in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), which includes significant investments in renewable energy in Florida, puts America on a path to energy independence, helps create new jobs, and protects North Florida families. The American Clean Energy and Security Act keeps costs low for consumers and reforms our national energy policy without adding to the federal deficit.
Among the key components of the American Clean Energy and Security Act is a reasonable new standard for renewable energy usage for Florida utility companies. Under this legislation, major Florida utility providers would be required to generate 20% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. However, the state is allowed to request permission to meet 8% of this standard through conservation measures, such as energy efficiency improvements. For the state to meet the remaining 12% renewable energy requirement, the American Clean Energy and Security Act expands biomass and nuclear programs, while investing in other clean energy technologies such as clean coal, hydropower, and wind energy. To help keep costs low in North Florida, rural electric cooperatives (co-ops) are exempt from meeting this standard – one of Congressman Boyd’s top priorities in the legislation.
“I have long advocated for our country to develop a responsible and comprehensive energy plan that utilizes domestic sources of energy and puts us on a path to energy independence,” said Congressman Boyd. “This important legislation puts the tools in place so that we, as a nation, can begin to work toward energy independence in a responsible way, and just as important, this bill is workable for North Florida. There is no silver bullet for our energy problems, but by taking a balanced, common-sense approach to our national energy policy, we are heading in the right direction.”
The American Clean Energy and Security Act also includes a standard to reduce carbon emissions by 17% by 2020. Under this program, known as cap and trade, utility companies would be required to reduce their emission or purchase allowances to allow them to exceed these caps. This will incentivize large utility companies to begin to shift toward clean coal technologies and other renewable sources of energy. The allowances from this program will be kept in Florida to further promote energy efficiency and renewable energy – not sent to a national fund – while co-ops in North Florida will receive free allowances to help offset energy costs and keep prices affordable.
“The American Clean Energy and Security Act promotes clean energy programs that are already being used effectively in Florida and paves the way toward new nuclear and clean coal technology – both of which have great potential in our state,” Boyd said. “In addition to investing in these new energy industries, this bill will create an estimated 1.7 million new American jobs that can’t be outsourced, which is particularly important during these challenging economic times.”
This legislation also creates new opportunities for North Florida farmers by providing incentives to participate in a market-based carbon offset program. Under this new program, farmers would receive allowances for reducing or sequestering their carbon footprint. Further, this program would be carried out by the United States Department of Agriculture, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency, ensuring the agriculture industry is not regulated by cap and trade.
Congressman Boyd applauded the legislation for its affordability. A recent study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found the legislation to be deficit neutral and PAYGO compliant. Additionally, the report shows that the overall impact of this legislation on the average household would be 22 to 30 cents per day by 2020 – less than the cost of a postage stamp a day.
“Our country must be willing to pay for its priorities, and I am pleased that this legislation doesn’t add to our federal deficit,” added Congressman Boyd. “It was essential that this bill be affordable for the people of our state, and we’ve done that in this bill. As this bill moves through the legislation process, it is my hope that it will continue to focus on keeping costs low, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”
Additionally, the American Clean Energy and Security Act would:
• Invest $190 billion by 2025 in new clean energy technologies
• Mandate new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances, and industry
• Protect energy-intensive industries like steel, iron, and paper industries
• Include loan guarantees to support private investments in nuclear power
The bill now awaits action by the Senate.
I'll be damned.
Hasn’t he had ethic issues also? And was his son charged with transporting illegals?
what an assclown.
Also the term “Clean Coal” appears nowhere in the bill
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2454/text
Yes.
NJ jackasses spinning the same baloney.
I call BS on this on this A-hole!!! This is nothing but a HUGE tax on those who can least afford it.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd (D-FL) 2nd Congressional district, today voted in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), which includes significant investments in renewable energy in Florida, puts America on a path to energy independence, helps create new jobs, and protects North Florida families. The American Clean Energy and Security Act keeps costs low for consumers and reforms our national energy policy without adding to the federal deficit.
Good memory. I had forgotten about his son. As for ethics issues, I am not aware of any problems.
Oh gosh! Do you suppose this idiot really REALLY resents Rush, Hannity and the rest of talk radio that is telling us the truth about this “wonderful” plan for us tax payers?
thank you Mike Judge and David Herman for contributing the word “assclown” to our lexicon...
He’s my rep as well. I can’t stand him.
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