[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10720-10725]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      THE WORK OF THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE OF THE 
                       CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) is recognized 
for 60

[[Page 10721]]

minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FUDGE. Good evening, Mr. Speaker.
  I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 
in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert supplementary 
materials on the topic of my Special Order this evening.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus, the CBC, is 
proud to anchor this hour. Currently, the CBC is chaired by the 
Honorable Barbara Lee from the 9th Congressional District from 
California. My name is Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, representing the 
11th Congressional District of Ohio.
  CBC members are advocates for the human family, nationally and 
internationally, and have played a significant role as a local and 
regional activist. We continue to work diligently to be the conscience 
of the Congress. But understand, all politics are local. Therefore, we 
provide dedicated and focused service to citizens of the congressional 
districts we serve.
  The vision of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, 
to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the 
needs of millions of neglected citizens, continues to be the focal 
point for the legislative work and political activities of the 
Congressional Black Caucus today.
  This week, the Caucus has joined to discuss one of the most important 
topics facing our country: the energy crisis. Rising global oil prices, 
concerns over energy security and the urgent need to address climate 
change has made energy a central concern of the 111th Congress and 
necessitated this message hour.
  Mr. Speaker, I would now yield to our Chair, the honorable Ms. Lee 
from California, the gentlelady from California.
  Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much.
  First, let me thank Representative Fudge from Ohio once again for 
holding the Special Order today as Congress continues to work to break 
away from this business-as-usual with regards to our Nation's energy 
future. Thank you Congresswoman Fudge for selflessly each and every 
Monday night coming to the floor making sure that the voice of the 
Congressional Black Caucus is heard on each and every issue, day in and 
day out.
  Let me also take a moment to thank the Chairs of the Congressional 
Black Caucus's energy and environmental task force, Representatives 
G.K. Butterfield, Emanuel Cleaver, and Sheila Jackson-Lee. I want to 
thank them for their leadership and their tireless efforts to promote 
proper stewardship of our communities by protecting the environment.
  It's so important that we continue to call for action on these issues 
surrounding global warming and the continued degradation of our 
environment that is perpetrated by our perilous--and I mean our 
perilous--and I think the whole country understands what we mean now 
when we say ``perilous dependence'' on fossil fuels.
  As I have said time and time again, there is no way that we can deny 
the interconnection between our stewardship of the environment and the 
state of the economy, public health and our communities. The drastic 
acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions has often been concentrated in 
low-income and in minority communities putting these vulnerable 
populations on the front lines, mind you, of the fight against 
environmental degradation and global climate change. In fact, 71 
percent of African Americans live in counties in violation of Federal 
air pollution standards--that's 71 percent of African Americans--and 78 
percent live within 30 miles or within the toxic perimeter of a coal-
fired power plant. This is shameful.

                              {time}  2100

  Day after day, the communities in my district, for example, face the 
severe consequences of pollution, urban sprawl, and environmental 
injustice which harshly affects people of color and low-income 
families. Sadly, this epidemic is hitting our children the hardest. 
Back home in my district, children growing up in west Oakland are seven 
times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than the average child 
in California.
  None of us can afford to take this lightly. The health of our 
community and our neighbors affects us all. Simply put, climate change 
has and will continue to exacerbate the problems of poverty and 
inequality.
  Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Energy Task Force and 
myself recently wrote a letter to Chairman Waxman of the House Energy 
and Commerce Committee expressing support for comprehensive climate 
legislation and investments in the green economy. I won't read the 
letter in its entirety, Mr. Speaker, but I will insert the letter into 
the Record.
  Basically, we talked about investments in the green economy, we 
talked about consumer protection, job leakage protection, adaptation, 
and of course we talked about why we thought this bill should move very 
quickly and move forward with these key elements in place. In this 
letter, we also stress the importance of shielding low-income 
households from price shocks to ensure that they do not bear a 
disproportionate burden as we transition to a low-carbon economy. We 
also called for the expansion of complimentary energy-efficient 
programs, and for regular and predictable funding for adaptation and 
mitigation assistance abroad.
  By the year 2030, it is estimated that the cost of adapting to global 
climate change could amount to more than $100 billion annually, with up 
to $67 billion per year to meet the needs of the developing world 
alone.
  Now, earlier this year, I introduced H. Con. Res. 98, a congressional 
resolution which recognizes the disparate impact of climate change on 
women and the efforts of women globally to address climate change. This 
resolution illustrates the disproportionate impact of climate change 
and environmental degradation on the world's most vulnerable 
populations. More importantly, it reflects the reality that any 
strategy to combat global warming and climate change will really need 
to include meaningful and equitable action on the international level.
  The United States must provide support for adaptation and sustainable 
development abroad, as well as assistance to ensure affordable access 
to emerging clean technologies. It is time to think big, not small. And 
the challenge of addressing global climate change will require a truly 
comprehensive and transformative solution.
  I am greatly encouraged by the actions already taken by the Obama 
administration to reengage with the international community in order to 
find solutions to this global challenge. And I also applaud the 
Environmental Protection Agency's recent finding that greenhouse gases 
endanger public health and welfare, which finally recognizes the need 
to protect our communities and the global ecosystem by acting 
immediately to curb carbon pollution.
  And, Congresswoman Fudge, as I was listening to the other side talk a 
little earlier, I couldn't help but wonder really where they were for 
the last 8 years because, had some of these actions and initiatives 
been put in place in the last 8 years, perhaps we would be much further 
ahead in our overall climate change efforts. And the public health, of 
course, would be, I think, much better protected. I think we heard a 
little bit of revisionist history tonight, so I just have to say that 
as I move forward.
  As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, let me just say that we 
want to continue to work with the Obama administration--and all of my 
colleagues here in a bipartisan way--to help pass responsible and 
comprehensive climate change legislation that will spur the development 
of clean, renewable energy and the deployment of much needed energy-
efficient technologies.
  Legislation which sets us on a path toward energy independence and a 
new

[[Page 10722]]

low-carbon economy will help to maintain the United States' position as 
a leader in innovation and create hundreds of thousands of good-paying 
green jobs, and finally, help us get off of this addiction that we have 
to oil, especially break the stronghold that really has been crippling 
us in terms of our dependence on foreign oil.
  One of the most exciting and inclusive solutions to many issues 
facing environmental health is the possibility afforded to us by 
promoting green jobs training and the growth of the green economy in 
America. And I am very pleased to say that the President, in his 
economic recovery package--which, of course, the other side I don't 
think mentioned tonight--included $100 million for green job training. 
We have to have people prepared for the new world, the new jobs that 
are going to be provided by this industry. And so $100 million would 
get us started on that path. But again, we have to look at this in a 
bipartisan way, and I hope that at some point we will.
  To that end, I recently reintroduced legislation entitled, the Metro 
Economies Green Act, or the MEGA bill. This is H.R. 330. This 
establishes grant programs to encourage energy-efficient economic 
development and green job training and creation of green jobs. This 
legislation would also create a national institute to serve as a 
clearinghouse for best practices in order to facilitate the successful 
expansion of green jobs on a national scale.
  As a representative of California's Ninth Congressional District, I 
would also just like to take a moment to recognize the role that 
California's East Bay is playing at the forefront of the green jobs 
industry and the green jobs movement. We have a number of innovative 
initiatives in my district in particular, including the East Bay Green 
Corridor Initiative, the Oakland Green Job Corps, the Joint BioEnergy 
Institute, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the Energy 
Biosciences Institute at Berkley.
  I recently visited the Oakland Green Job Corps with the special 
advisor to President Obama on energy and climate change, Carol 
Browner--who is doing a fantastic job in this position--and also with 
Mayor Ron Dellums, who is providing tremendous leadership in this area. 
We visited the Oakland Green Job Corps to show the Obama administration 
really a groundbreaking example of green-collar jobs, workforce 
development, and what we are doing in Oakland in terms of preparing our 
young people for these jobs of the future. This is already up and 
running in Oakland, California.
  The Oakland Green Job Corps is a partnership of community 
organizations, trade unions, private companies, and the city of 
Oakland. It provides Oakland's residents with the necessary training, 
support, and work experience to independently pursue these careers in 
the new energy economy.
  One component of the Corps is called the Cypress Mandela Training 
Center. This provides invaluable pathways out of poverty, which is 
extremely important to recognize that these positions provide this new 
industry. Also, it provides vocational training for Bay-area men and 
women, especially those with barriers to employment.
  Green has already become the fifth-largest industry in the Nation. 
And with the proper support and funding, we will continue to see an 
explosion of innovation and the expansion of economic opportunities 
surrounding the green movement.
  There is no doubt in my mind that a greener future will lead to a 
more prosperous future for our communities, the Nation, and the world, 
but it must be a movement that is inclusive of all and that leaves no 
community behind. So I urge my colleagues, on a bipartisan basis, to 
act swiftly to move America beyond its dependence on oil, address the 
climate crisis, and really help protect America's natural resources for 
our children's future. And as a person of faith, I just must say that 
we must preserve and we must protect God's creation, which is our 
planet.
  Thank you, Congresswoman Fudge.

         Congressional Black Caucus of the 111th United States 
           Congress,
                       Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC, April 9, 2009.
     Hon. Henry Waxman,
     Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn 
         House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Waxman, As you draft and consider 
     comprehensive energy legislation to promote renewable energy, 
     energy efficiency, and to curb greenhouse gas emissions, we 
     the undersigned Members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
     (CBC) respectfully request your consideration of the issues 
     discussed in this letter.
       Climate change represents a tangible threat to the 
     communities we represent as well as the United States as a 
     whole and we, therefore, encourage and support your efforts 
     to address this critical issue. We support science-based 
     legislation to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions at 
     least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The United States must 
     be a leader on this global issue, and this target is 
     consistent with the proposals of the Obama Administration.


                    Investment in the Green Economy

       Comprehensive energy legislation will revolutionize our 
     economy and energy infrastructure, spurring us to become more 
     innovative and efficient. The growing ``Green Economy'' 
     presents an opportunity to create large numbers of quality 
     green-collar jobs for American workers, to grow emerging 
     industries, and to improve the health of low- and middle-
     income Americans. Any public investment in the Green Economy 
     should include serious efforts to train, employ and provide 
     public service opportunities that lead to full-time 
     employment in these industries. This is a significant 
     opportunity to make cost-effective public and private 
     investments to rebuild and retrofit our nation. We recommend 
     the following:
       Develop a career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle 
     income communities, through training, job readiness and 
     entrepreneurship programs, to ensure that people who most 
     need work are prepared for the family-sustaining jobs and 
     careers in energy efficiency and energy service industries. 
     Ensuring local hiring practices will be critical to engaging 
     these distressed communities.
       Development of Green Energy Centers of Excellence at 
     Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to 
     research and develop new green technologies as well as train 
     implementers in the deployment of green innovation. HBCUs 
     maintain unique relationships with communities of color, and 
     we should use their expertise to educate these communities on 
     the opportunities in green industries and the techniques 
     needed to succeed.
       Ensure local and national certification standards for 
     technical jobs to ensure appropriate levels of expertise.
       Apply large-scale energy-saving measures to the nation's 
     building stock, which will create hundreds of thousands of 
     green-collar jobs while dramatically reducing American's 
     energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.


                          Consumer Protection

       A cap-and-trade system will increase the cost of energy 
     derived from high-polluting production processes for all 
     households. Low- and middle-income households spend a greater 
     share of their budget on energy costs than higher income 
     households. To help prevent climate change policy from being 
     unfairly burdensome on these households, we recommend:
       Measures to offset the disproportionate impact of increased 
     energy costs that could take the form of a climate rebate 
     equal to the loss in purchasing power extended to the lowest 
     quintile, the second quintile and partially extended to the 
     third quintile. For households that file no tax returns, the 
     rebate could be administered through the Electronic Benefit 
     Transfer (EBT) system. For all others, the rebate could be 
     extended through a higher Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or 
     alternative tax mechanisms that make the connection with this 
     increased cost.
       Further investments in the Low Income Home Energy 
     Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance 
     Program, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block 
     Grant (EECBG) Program.
       Prevent the creation of ``hot spots'' and ``outsourcing'' 
     to communities of color and low-income or otherwise 
     vulnerable communities domestically and abroad.


                         Job Leakage Protection

       Many manufacturing jobs in this country produce goods that 
     compete in global markets. Under a domestic cap-and-trade 
     program, these industries will face pressure from increased 
     costs due to direct regulation of their emissions as well as 
     higher energy costs.
       If this is not addressed, these industries, as well as the 
     workers and communities they support, will be forced to close 
     or move operations to countries without similar regulations, 
     producing the leakage of American jobs and emissions to 
     foreign countries.
       To protect the jobs of workers in the energy-intensive 
     trade-exposed industries, the CBC recommends:
       The United States should pursue international agreements on 
     greenhouse gas reductions. Engaging industrialized nations in 
     an agreement to combat this truly global problem will more 
     effectively meet emissions reductions goals as well as 
     ``level the

[[Page 10723]]

     playing field'' for American workers and business.
       Until an international agreement can be achieved, climate 
     legislation should include measures to protect against 
     unintended disadvantages brought about as a result of global 
     trading partners acting outside of a domestic or 
     international greenhouse gas reductions scheme.
       Provide assistance to ease and facilitate the transition of 
     workers and communities dependent upon high emitting 
     industries to the emerging low-carbon economy.


                               Adaptation

       Regardless of our success in curbing greenhouse gas 
     emissions, we can be certain that there will be ramifications 
     as a result of global climate change. These may include 
     rising sea levels, increased weather disasters, changes in 
     precipitation, loss of biodiversity and the increased spread 
     and range of tropical diseases. This will affect rural, urban 
     and island communities domestically and abroad, with low-
     income populations being at greatest risk. Providing 
     appropriate adaptation measures for these eventualities is 
     imperative and this legislation should insure regular and 
     predictable funding. We recommend:
       An ecosystem-based adaptation both domestically and 
     internationally, investing in conservation techniques to 
     preserve wetlands, tropical forestland and critical 
     ecosystems such as coral reefs and their relevant fisheries. 
     Thriving ecosystems produce healthy communities, and promote 
     sustainability.
       Agricultural adaptation for areas experiencing shifting 
     weather patterns. Subsistence farmers should be provided aid 
     to manage temperature change and its effect on their growing 
     season.
       Medical adaptation to prepare and prevent the spread of 
     disease. As temperatures rise, tropical-borne diseases such 
     as malaria and dengue fever may proliferate in previously 
     unaffected areas. Preventing and addressing this through 
     vaccinations, improved sanitation measures, and other 
     burgeoning technology should be a priority in the 
     legislation.
       It is with the utmost respect and appreciation for your 
     efforts that we present these policy recommendations to you. 
     We view these principles as essential to any climate change 
     proposal. Please let us know how the Committee plans to 
     incorporate these principles into the upcoming climate change 
     legislation and how we can work with you to pass this 
     critical legislation.
           Sincerely,
         Barbara Lee, CBC Chairwoman; Emanuel Cleaver, CBC Energy 
           Taskforce Member; Sheila Jackson Lee, CBC Energy 
           Taskforce Member; Melvin L. Watt, CBC Energy Taskforce 
           Member; Alcee L. Hastings, CBC Energy Taskforce Member; 
           Sanford Bishop, CBC Energy Taskforce Member; Bobby 
           Rush, CBC Energy Taskforce Member; C Butterfield, CBC 
           Energy Taskforce Member; Donna M. Christensen, CBC 
           Energy Taskforce Member.

  Ms. FUDGE. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, that our chairwoman has been so very 
supportive of this hour and of me continuing to be the anchor. But I 
also want to say to our chairwoman that I appreciate your kind of 
setting the record straight because I know that one of the things that 
our President talked about is, his priorities were education, health 
care, and energy. And he didn't say any of it would happen overnight, 
contrary to what our colleagues across the aisle said, that they 
thought it was going to happen right away. As a matter of fact, the 
President said it would take time. So I do thank you for helping me set 
the record straight, and I thank you for being here this evening. Thank 
you, Madam Chair.
  Mr. Speaker, reliable predictions indicate that by the year 2050, the 
world's population will have nearly doubled from its present level. It 
will rise from around 6 billion to about 10 billion people. Most of 
this growth and much of the increase in energy consumption will occur 
in developing countries. Future increases in energy demand will exert 
even greater pressure on our finite reserves. If we are largely 
dependent on one fuel source, we risk price rises and supply 
disruptions. It is imperative for us to use our energy more efficiently 
and develop an energy supply that is both sustainable and diverse in 
order to improve our quality of life and protect our environment.
  As a country, we can no longer depend on the cheap conception of gas 
and other finite resources. It is in the interest of our national 
security to become independent from our foreign sources of oil in 
politically unstable regions of the world. If we continue to invest in 
other finite resources, what is to prevent those costs from 
skyrocketing when the supply runs low? If we don't invest in renewable 
technologies now, we could be on the brink of a catastrophe, not to 
mention the health and environmental cost.
  The best way to lower energy costs is to make homes, buildings, 
vehicles, and infrastructure more energy efficient. In the process, we 
create jobs. Doing nothing to curb carbon pollution means rising 
surface temperatures, rising sea levels, adverse health effects, and 
displaced populations. The longer we delay, the higher the cost.
  As global warming becomes more threatening, addressing the future of 
America's environment becomes increasingly urgent. According to the 
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average 
global temperature could rise by an additional 2.5 to 10.5 degrees 
Fahrenheit by the year 2100. If the amount of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere doubles as expected, the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency has acknowledged that without emission control policies, the 
amount of carbon monoxide in the air will far exceed today's levels 
with a 30 to 150 percent increase.
  According to an assessment by the World Health Organization of 
possible health impacts of climate change, more than 150,000 deaths may 
have been caused in the year 2000 alone by global warming as a result 
of disease, malnutrition, and loss of shelter. This negative impact on 
world health will only increase as the climate changes.
  Experts predict that one-fourth of the Earth's species will be headed 
for extinction by 2050 if the warming trend continues at its current 
rate. More than $100 billion worth of homes, businesses, and public 
facilities are at risk from extreme coastal storms if sea levels rise 
as anticipated. When we invest in renewable energies, we are not only 
creating jobs and strengthening our economic prospects for the future, 
we are protecting our increasingly more fragile environment as well.
  The Congressional Black Caucus recommends that we support science-
based legislation to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions at least 
80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The United States must 
be a leader on this global issue, and this target is consistent with 
the proposals of the Obama administration.
  Any public investment in the green economy should include serious 
efforts to train, employ and provide public service opportunities that 
lead to full-time employment in these industries. We must develop a 
career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle-income communities, 
through training, job readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to 
ensure that people who most need work are prepared for the family-
sustaining jobs and careers in energy efficiency and energy service 
industries.
  When we talk about consumer protection, we have heard a lot about 
cap-and-trade. And sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree with all 
of the things that are out there, but let me just say two things about 
cap-and-trade. A cap-and-trade system must be fair and must not be to 
the detriment of manufacturers and businesses. A cap-and-trade system 
will increase the cost of energy derived from high-polluting production 
processes for all households. Low- and middle-income households spend a 
greater share of their budget on energy costs than higher income 
households. To help prevent climate change policies from being unfairly 
burdensome on these households, we must remember to promote and support 
vital projects such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, 
better known as LIHEAP.

                              {time}  2115

  The LIHEAP program helps to pay the winter heating bills or summer 
cooling bills of low-income and elderly people. During extreme weather 
conditions, people living in poverty and low-income elderly should not 
have to choose between fuel to heat or cool their homes and buying food 
for themselves or their families. Two-thirds of the families receiving 
LIHEAP assistance have incomes of less than $8,000 a year, Mr. Speaker, 
$8,000. This program

[[Page 10724]]

clearly helps the people who need help the most.
  The Congressional Black Caucus recommends that we provide measures to 
offset the disproportionate impact of increased energy costs that could 
take the form of a climate rebate equal to the loss in purchasing power 
extended to the lowest quintile, the second quintile, and partially 
extend it to the third quintile. For households that file no tax 
returns, the rebate could be administered through the Electronic 
Benefit Transfer System. For all others the rebate could be extended 
through a higher earned income tax credit or alternative tax and make 
the connection with this increased cost.
  In my home State of Ohio, Mr. Speaker, Ohio has lost more than 
213,000 manufacturing jobs since the year 2000. In my neighboring State 
of Michigan, the figure is almost 497,000 jobs lost. Its industrial 
sector ranks fourth for energy consumption after Texas, Louisiana, and 
California. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, manufacturing 
is poised to grow in a low-carbon economy because economic 
opportunities exist within the supply chain that provide parts and 
labor for these industries. States that stand to benefit most from jobs 
in these sectors include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, 
New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California.
  Ohio receives about 86 percent of its electricity from coal. We also 
have some energy-intensive industries in Ohio such as paper, plastics, 
and fertilizer that rely upon abundant and economically viable sources 
of energy to help them keep their prices competitive, which is 
especially important during this troubling economic time. A cap-and-
trade program will likely gradually raise electricity rates over time 
for consumers and especially manufacturers like those in northeast 
Ohio. When developing legislation, it is critical for us to work to 
minimize the effect and to sustain the competitiveness of our crucial 
industries and not only provide my district with jobs but also provide 
the world with products.
  Mr. Speaker, the President had the opportunity to visit my district 
the day before he was inaugurated. He came to the city of Bedford 
Heights. He visited a community in my congressional district. He came 
to visit the Ohio wind energy component manufacturer Cardinal 
Fasteners. President Obama pointed to Cardinal Fasteners as an example 
of how a company struggling through tough economic times can reinvent 
itself and recover by recognizing opportunities in the renewable energy 
market. Rather than falling victim to the slumping economy, Cardinal 
has become the Nation's largest manufacturer of bolts, screws, and 
double-ended studs used in wind towers. Each wind tower installed 
requires approximately 1,000 products made by Cardinal. As a result, 
the company now earns half of its revenue selling products that support 
wind energy products. Driven by sales of wind turbine projects, 
Cardinal projects will add an additional 40 or more individuals to its 
workforce in 2009, increasing its total to more than 100 employees.
  I tell you this story because it tells you of the potential that Ohio 
has to be an oasis of wind energy. Ohio has made enormous strides to 
take advantage of its wind potential and create good green energy jobs 
throughout the State. In fact, there are over 220 businesses in Ohio 
that are involved in the development and manufacturing of wind energy 
and over 440 companies involved in the renewable energy sector. The 
Ohio Department of Development estimates that there are more than 1,000 
Ohio businesses that already have the capacity to become part of the 
wind turbine supply chain.
  Comprehensive energy legislation will revolutionize our economy and 
energy infrastructure, spurring us to become more innovative and 
efficient. The growing green economy presents an opportunity to create 
large numbers of quality green collar jobs for American workers, to 
grow emerging industries, and to improve the health of low- and middle-
income Americans. Any public investment in the green economy should 
include serious efforts to train, employ, and provide public service 
opportunities that lead to full-time employment in these industries. We 
must assure that we train and prepare our workforce for green jobs and 
technology. An item that I truly support from the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act is the nearly $3 billion in workforce investment 
formula grants and $750 million for green and health care training. 
Lori Atkins, the deputy director of the Cuyahoga County Department of 
Workforce Development, informs me that to make sure that my community 
is ready for all jobs that are coming our way, training dollars they 
will receive will go to approved advisers for in-demand occupations, 
including green energy. My community will stand ready for this 
significant opportunity to make cost-effective public and private 
investments to rebuild and retrofit our Nation. The CBC recommends the 
following:
  We must develop a career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle-
income communities, through training, job readiness, and 
entrepreneurship programs to ensure that people who most need work are 
prepared for the family-sustaining jobs and careers in energy 
efficiency and energy services industries. Ensuring local hiring 
practices will be critical to engaging these distressed communities. It 
is also extremely important that we do not leave minority- and women-
owned businesses behind in this new industry. Therefore, we must be 
assured that they have their place at the proverbial table. This will 
also ensure that the work is spread to all citizens.
  We must as well develop Green Energy Centers of Excellence at 
predominantly black institutions to research and develop new green 
technologies as well as train implementers in the development of green 
innovation. These institutions maintain unique relationships with 
communities of color, and we should use their expertise to educate 
these communities on the opportunities in green industries and the 
techniques needed to succeed.
  We must ensure local and national certification standards for 
technical jobs to ensure appropriate levels of expertise. We must also 
apply large-scale energy-saving measures to the Nation's building 
stock, which will create hundreds of thousands of green collar jobs 
while dramatically reducing America's energy costs and greenhouse gas 
emissions.
  It is important for us to remember that the only way we can achieve 
our goals as a country is to become more energy independent, and that 
can only happen if we have a skilled workforce proficient in science, 
technology, engineering, and math. I would like to briefly discuss and 
highlight the MC Squared School in my district, which is the first STEM 
facility in our Nation that is located in a corporate complex. The 
facility provides an environment fostering intellectual growth and 
stimulating curriculum geared toward science, technology, engineering, 
and math. The students are mentored by GE employees from a broad array 
of disciplines ranging from research, technology, and engineering to 
marketing, finance, global product management, and human resources. 
Most importantly, the teachers and staff are exceptional. It was no 
small feat to make the MC Squared STEM School a success. It took the 
hard work, ingenuity, and commitment of local civic and business 
organizations who came together and contributed nearly $3 million for 
the classroom renovations on the Nela Park campus in order to bring 
this idea to fruition. It also took the vision of the CEO of the 
Cleveland Public Schools, Dr. Eugene Sanders.
  The STEALTH team of the MC Squared School meets once a week after 
school and is headed up by a science teacher who was the vice president 
of Johnson Controls for 26 years. They have created an apparatus called 
``the thing,'' which collects sunlight and stores it in batteries which 
can be used to charge your cell phone, laptop, and any daily household 
item. They have refined it to do something that works effectively. 
Additionally, the STEALTH group has implemented green renovations to 
General Electric solar panels on the roof of its own facility.

[[Page 10725]]

  The STEM School recently held a conference focusing on renewable 
energy at the Great Lakes Science Center in my district where many 
students came and were responsible for researching a specific topic. 
The STEM School then invited other children from the community to 
conduct a town hall discussion on energy issues.
  The STEM School works in conjunction with the Washington Park 
Greenhouse, which is connected to the Cleveland Public School District 
through South High School. The STEM School students recently made some 
recommendations to increase energy efficiency of the greenhouse. 
General Electric staff worked with them hand in hand while using the 
suggestions of the students to renovate the greenhouse. The students 
then took measurements of humidity, temperature, and other levels 
before and after and compared the result to measure the progress of 
their work. The STEM students are currently working on developing 
automated watering systems for the greenhouse pumps to conserve energy 
and water for the plants. They are in the process of creating designs 
and testing to see which one works best.
  I believe that the MC Squared STEM School has the ability to be a 
catalyst for change across our Nation. Children who are taught by 
educators with proper certification and mentored by professionals are 
more likely to succeed and prosper in an increasingly technologically 
advanced society. It is for this reason I plan to offer an amendment to 
the STEM Coordination Act of 2009 in the Committee of Science and 
Technology, which I am a member, with the intent to increase the 
members of certified teachers in low-performing areas of our country. 
Increasing the number of qualified teachers in our country in science 
and math will only help our Nation spur the renewable energy 
revolution.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman 
Barbara Lee, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, for 
allowing this important discussion on energy during our message hour. 
We must work to strengthen all facets of our society when discussing an 
unfolding energy revolution in the 111th Congress. We have a great 
opportunity to protect our environment and strengthen our economic 
interest through the creation of additional sources of energy such as 
biofuel, wind, and solar.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield again to our Chair, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee).
  Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much for yielding.
  And let me just thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for that very 
comprehensive, succinct, and very clear statement. I think it 
summarizes many of the issues that the Congressional Black Caucus 
believes are important as we move forward with our comprehensive energy 
legislation.
  And I must say you highlighted the involvement of minority- and 
women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in this effort, also the role 
of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  The role of the Congressional Black Caucus, as many know, is to make 
sure that no one is left behind, that no community is left behind. And 
the Congressional Black Caucus historically has been and continues to 
be the conscience of the Congress.
  So, Congresswoman Fudge, I'm really pleased that you have laid out 
for us tonight what the Congressional Black Caucus sees as important in 
this energy legislation as we communicate it to our great chairman, who 
is doing a fantastic job, I must say, Chairman Henry Waxman. And we 
have communicated this to him, and we are very confident that as this 
energy legislation moves forward that the Congressional Black Caucus's 
views and input and ideas to expand this legislation to make sure it's 
comprehensive and that it includes all communities in our country will 
be part of that.
  Thank you for your leadership tonight. That was a very wonderful 
presentation, Congresswoman Fudge. The Congressional Black Caucus is 
very proud of you.
  Ms. FUDGE. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.

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