[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. PAUL TONKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, today I come to the floor to urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy Security 
Act.
  As you know, I represent a state that has been a leader in the nation 
when it comes to renewable energy standards and energy efficiency 
activity. New York was the first state in the country to adopt a state 
renewable energy standard and is currently ranked as one of the most 
energy efficient states per capita in the nation.
  I am proud to say H.R. 2454 will allow New York to continue these 
successful programs and push us even further in a positive direction. 
Working with, and on behalf of, the New York delegation, I was able to 
work with Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey to include language which 
allows states like New York to have the flexibility to be in control of 
their own compliance. This flexibility is vital if New York is to 
continue its great progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency 
activities. This bill allows New York State to build upon a strong 
record of demand reduction. Otherwise, a commitment of several years 
would be required to set up a new system in our state with its proven 
results.
  In addition to the flexibility language, the bill includes provisions 
allowing market transformation initiatives to count towards the energy 
efficiency standard. It also addresses the issue of transportation 
emissions and transportation planning and makes it consistent with 
current state policy. Finally, the bill includes an improvement that I 
recommended concerning efficiency of natural gas turbines. H.R. 2454 
creates a $65 million competitive grant program specifically for 
research and development of more efficient natural gas turbines used 
for power production. The goal of the program would be to raise the 
efficiency of these turbines to 65 percent. Currently, the most 
efficient turbines operate at 60 percent. A one percentage point 
improvement in efficiency alone, applied to existing turbines, would 
reduce CO2 emissions by 4.4 million tons per year and 
provide fuel savings of more than $1 billion per year.
  The innovation and the technology advancement that this bill aims to 
promote will see benefits for future generations. As we did during the 
Space Race so many years ago, we must turn towards innovation and 
leadership on the energy front to lead the world again. This is a 
global race for clean, green energy that we cannot afford to lose.
  Madam. Speaker, with the collective energy of the President and the 
Congress, this bill will create new and enduring policies which will 
promote cleaner, more efficient, and more independent sources of energy 
that will positively influence all of America's energy demands as well 
as jobs and career paths of the future. I urge my colleagues to join me 
and vote in favor of HR. 2454. I yield back the balance of my time.

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