[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E280-E281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION CONCERNING MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES 
              IN THE INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I am introducing a resolution expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States seek 
membership in the International Renewable Energy Agency because our 
energy security, the health of our planet, and the strength of our 
economy have reached a critical juncture. With volatile energy prices, 
emissions of heat-trapping gases continuing to climb to dangerous 
levels, and the U.S. economy in turmoil, two things have become clear. 
First, a fundamental change is needed in the way we generate and use 
energy here at home. Secondly, the rest of the world must be also part 
of this new energy future. The resolution I am introducing today calls 
for the United States to seek membership in the International Renewable 
Energy Agency (IRENA) to address both of these challenges.
  On January 26, 2009, 75 countries signed the statute to establish 
IRENA, marking a promising step towards international collaboration and 
mitigating climate change. This collaboration was a good start, but the 
urgency of global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels require 
that we take the lead in the permanent international agency to drive 
the development and deployment of renewable energy in all countries, 
including ours. The United States still has a chance to be a founding 
member of the body if it signs on by April 30th of this year. As a 
founding member country, the United States would be eligible to 
nominate a Director General and bid to host the IRENA headquarters on 
American territory.
  Despite the enormous strides renewable energy and energy efficiency 
technologies have made over the last several years, hurdles remain to 
major and rapid scale-up on the level needed to meet the world's need 
for energy while also addressing global warming. IRENA is the first 
international organization to focus solely on renewable energy and 
include a broad constituency of industrialized and developing 
countries. It will provide the institutional support needed to address 
the technological, financial, informational, and policy barriers that 
keep renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies from reaching 
their full potential.
  Renewable energy has the potential to reduce global warming pollution 
while also creating millions of green jobs, reducing our dependence on 
foreign sources of energy, and spurring the technological development 
that will fuel the global economy over the coming century.
  In 2007, new investment in clean energy technology worldwide 
increased 60 percent over 2006, but vast markets remain untapped and 
not included in the green economy. Over the next two decades, 
greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries are projected to 
grow at more than twice the rate of those in developed countries. 
Encouraging growth of renewable energy in developing countries reduces 
the extent and likelihood that these economies will follow a carbon-
intensive, fossil energy development path. It also opens a valuable 
market for the clean energy companies that developed economies will 
rely on for growth over the coming century, a market that American 
businesses and American workers can benefit from. The International 
Renewable Energy Agency will have the independence, credibility, and 
expertise necessary to assist governments at the national, state, and 
local level implement renewable energy policies and projects.
  Other international energy agencies were formed to address narrow 
problems. The International Energy Agency (IEA): oil security and fuel 
supply disruptions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): 
nuclear proliferation and safety. With the aid of institutional 
support, these energy resources became foundations of modern economies. 
An International Renewable Energy Agency is needed to support the 
unique problems facing renewable energy: marketplace failures, 
political inertia, and information gaps. Our membership in the 
organization will allow us to help shape the direction of this agency. 
To this end, IRENA will:
  Support governments in drafting policies and programs for the 
promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
  Assist governments in conducting studies that analyze the potential 
of renewable energies and the appropriateness of different 
technologies.
  Provide long-term projections and scenarios based on existing data 
and policy in order to identify opportunities as well as gaps, 
barriers, and failures in markets and policies.
  Organize training programs, information campaigns, and courses for 
civil servants, scientists, businesses, and non-government 
organizations.
  Supply curriculum for schools and universities on relevant renewable 
energy topics.
  Work with financial institutions to support innovative financing 
mechanisms for renewable energy projects.
  Develop international norms and quality standards.
  Gather and disseminate data, statistics, and reports on renewable 
energy deployment, policy approaches, and technology development.
  The status quo is not working for America or the planet. The 
environmental, energy, and economic problems we are facing are largely 
due to a failed energy policy. The International Renewable Energy 
Agency represents an opportunity for America to change its energy path 
and confront global warming while reestablishing its leadership role 
and reputation in the international community.

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