[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          SAFE CLIMATE CAUCUS

  (Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our 
communities are dealing with the impact of climate change, cuts from 
the sequester will negatively impact our long-term efforts to combat 
this challenge.
  Energy conservation is a vital component of reducing carbon 
emissions. Weatherization programs and the Energy Star program have 
been instrumental in reducing consumption. In 2011, Energy Star helped 
Americans reduce emissions by the equivalent of 41 million vehicles; 
and, during these tough times, it cut utility bills by $23 billion.
  As a result of the sequester, further progress on these programs is 
at risk. Research and development in clean-energy technologies are 
essential to reducing our dependence on oil and cutting emissions.
  Sequestration's funding reductions threaten to slow developments in 
solar and advanced battery technology. Sadly, my Republican colleagues 
have been reluctant to even debate further action to address climate 
change.
  That is one more reason why we cannot afford to sit by and do nothing 
while sequestration reduces the effectiveness of the programs we 
already have in place that are part of the climate change solution.

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