[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 103 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1717-E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, my priorities, as I represent Delaware in 
the U.S. House of Representatives today, begin with the economic 
opportunities and security for all who live here. We are facing serious 
challenges in both areas. With state budget shortfalls, rising 
unemployment and stagnant growth in many of the industries on which we 
typically rely-- new ideas and bold strategies for the future are 
required. Simultaneously, our Nation's military is spread thin across 
the world in an effort to confront those who seek to do us harm. One 
major threat to our security and theirs is the current reliance we have 
on foreign energy sources.
  Nations around the world are surging ahead with emission reductions 
and developing new energy technologies. The United States should be on 
equal footing, if not leading this effort to remain competitive.
  The recent vote in the U.S. House on the American Clean Energy and 
Security Act was on whether to pursue these new strategies, or hold on 
to the status quo. I supported the legislation because it is my belief 
that we cannot turn away from the opportunity to create new jobs and 
reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. With offshore wind, 
fuel cells, and solar energy initiatives, Delaware is poised to lead 
such innovation and create new jobs in these important areas while 
protecting the tourism industry and our very own coastline. We must 
live in the present but look to the future, and focus on strengthening 
the economy by driving advancements in industry and new business growth 
in Delaware. Such a market-driven solution, according to the Center for 
American Progress, is estimated to bring a net increase of about $460 
million in investment revenue and 6,000 jobs to our state.
  The real struggle I faced in whether to support this legislation is 
the cost of implementing new energy policies and addressing greenhouse 
gas pollution. I worry about the estimates that utility costs for all 
of us may increase, but I also agonize about the cost of doing nothing. 
One estimate, done by M.J. Bradley & Associates, using the Energy 
Information Agency, and EPA analysis, reflects that the average monthly 
bill in Delaware would increase by $3.00. To prevent increases in 
energy costs, a portion of the allowances will flow directly back to 
low- and moderate-income families through tax credits, direct payments, 
and electronic benefit payments.
  Clearly, any rate hike is going to hurt and I continue to work to 
ensure that we have measures in place to mitigate the impact on all 
income levels. Several colleagues and I worked to include an amendment 
to expand the financial tax credit relief for middle-income families, 
but such an amendment was blocked from consideration. I plan to pursue 
this change in negotiations with the Senate. I also believe that so 
many new energy efficiency measures will simultaneously reduce our 
energy usage and lower the cost of our utility bills. Under this 
legislation, revenues will be reinvested from the market back to 
consumers, energy research and development, and job-creation measures.
  The legislation establishes a system where greenhouse gas emissions 
are limited, and where emissions allowances are auctioned by the EPA 
and bought or sold among polluters.
  Delaware is already participating in a regional cap-and-trade program 
called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This bill will 
return revenue to all states, and in fact,

[[Page E1718]]

will bring more to the state than RGGI, in order to promote the same 
types of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
  The legislation also requires that 20 percent of energy produced by 
electric utilities come from renewable resources and energy savings by 
2020, still below Delaware's own standard. A robust renewable 
electricity standard is the most important policy tool we have to make 
sure new energy projects utilize American-made components manufactured 
by American workers, and I believe we should strive to strengthen the 
national standard.
  The coal resource of the U.S. is abundant and the bill creates new 
programs designed to promote carbon capture and sequestration, and sets 
new emissions standards for coal-fired power plants. This bill also 
supports modernizing of electricity infrastructure, including smart 
grid technologies. And, to aid the U.S. auto manufacturers, the bill 
aims to assist in the development of improved battery technology and 
plug-in electric vehicles.
  Major technological advancements and tax incentives are already 
positively influencing the advancement of the wind, solar, fuel cell, 
and biomass industries right here in Delaware. Green jobs, which could 
be those involved with electricity generated by wind, those that 
produce energy-efficient goods and services like mass transit, or those 
that install energy-conserving products like retrofitting buildings 
with thermal-pane windows, fuel cells, and solar--are key to the 
success of a new energy economy. Much work has been done voluntarily 
over the last several years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and I 
was glad to see that the bill takes steps to recognize these early, 
voluntary actions by industry leaders.
  In speaking with Governor Marken, we agree that this legislation will 
strengthen our domestic economy through innovative and sustainable job 
creation. I have also heard from leading Delaware businesses who 
believe in the opportunity of transforming to a clean energy economy. 
Ion Power said: this bill ``will make a real difference for America, 
and my business.'' Eclipse Solar has said: ``. . . we also know that 
clean energy is a great way to make money; supporting solar energy and 
other renewables will boost our economy and help create more jobs.'' 
Delaware Technical and Community College offered: ``. . . the College 
is developing an Applied Energy Education Center that will connect 
Delawareans to new ``green'' jobs by developing Delaware's green 
workforce and enabling citizens and businesses to reduce their energy 
costs through increased energy efficiency, conservation, integration, 
and management.'' Bluewater Wind wrote: ``By taking bold, concrete 
steps to address climate change and creating a new national Renewable 
Electricity Standard (RES), passage of the Waxman-Markey bill will spur 
hundreds of thousands of new jobs in America's growing renewable energy 
industry.''
  The agriculture sector plays a vital role in Delaware's economy. I 
was pleased to support U.S. House Agriculture Chairman Peterson's work 
to ensure that the interests of the agriculture community were 
represented in the legislation, including that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture will be in charge of working with farmers on the portion of 
the offset program that involves generating offset credits from U.S. 
farms and forests.
  Complex and detailed proposals must always be weighed thoughtfully 
and carefully. Ultimately, challenging economic times demand that we 
look to the future, not cling to the past. Leading experts differ on 
the economic impact that this legislation will have on each of us and I 
will remain closely engaged in efforts to reduce any cost increase 
passed through utility bills. This may not be a silver bullet for 
turning our economy around overnight. However, I am confident that we 
must drive innovation, research and market-based strategies to 
strengthen our immediate economic outlook and instill optimism for 
tomorrow.

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