Will we get the change we need on energy?

Senate debates plan to repower America

As the U.S. Senate considers historic energy legislation, Environment New York continues to build support for the passage of a bill that sets us on the path to repower America with clean energy.

The House of Representatives’ approval of the American Clean Energy and Security Act this summer marked a clear break from the inaction that characterized the federal government’s response to global warming during the past eight years. If the Senate follows suit this fall, we’ll see billions of dollars invested in energy efficiency and renewable power, new green buildings sprouting up across America, and significant, mandatory reductions in carbon pollution.

It’s not perfect
Still, the energy bill passed by the House doesn’t do all that’s necessary. In order to win enough votes for passage, the bill’s sponsors agreed to compromises that benefit oil and coal companies, agribusiness and other interests at the expense of taxpayers and the environment. But we can’t wait any longer to get started fighting global warming. And this bill has the potential to transform our energy systems. That’s why we decided to support and work extremely hard for passage of the bill.

Building support for change
Despite the concessions, the vote in the House was close, with just a seven-vote margin in favor of the legislation (25 members of New York’s delegation voted in favor of the bill). Working along with other members of our national federation, Environment America, we focused much of our energy on building support among citizens and key constituencies that could influence the deciding votes.

Environment New York educated citizens and lawmakers on the consequences of inaction or further delay. For example, our research showed that lower crop yields resulting from climate change could cost corn growers in New York $12 million each year, and nationally the toll would be roughly $1.4 billion. Global warming will make some of the challenges facing agriculture significantly worse, including increasing temperatures, more damaging storms, ozone pollution, and spreading pests, weeds and diseases.

But clean energy resources, such as wind turbines and solar panels, could provide farmers an independent source of power and income while reducing global warming emissions. By investing in clean energy solutions, we can help stop global warming and boost the agricultural economy.