American Power Act

A Senate version of Clean Energy legislation has been introduced by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman as the American Power Act. Although it needs strengthening to become the best plan to curb dangerous energy related pollution, it needs our support. The bill would move us on a path toward energy independence and a clean energy economy including a framework to curb global warming and shift us toward a greener, healthier future.

Contact our Alabama senators today to support Clean Energy!
Print postcards to Senator Jeff Sessions.
Print postcards to Senator Richard Shelby.

The co-authors of the bill, one a Democrat from Massachusetts and the other an Independent from Connecticut, insist that its vision is to change the direction of some of the nation's toughest systemic problems - economic competitiveness, energy security, job loss, and environmental safety. Indeed, the 900-plus page bill's expanse, encompassing development of the full menu of conventional and alternative energy sources, as well as a cap on carbon, is widely commended by environmental and business organizations.

Some potential results of the bill:

• Place a cap on carbon pollution to reduce the levels to at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and at least 80% by 2050.
• Invest in clean technology and spur domestic job opportunities in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• Hold polluters accountable for their global warming pollution and end fossil-fuel industry handouts.

Just a reminder for those that would say it would be too expensive and drive up the cost of energy, this chart from the Environmental Law Institutes reminds us that we're not always seeing the true cost of energy:

Full report can be found at http://www.eli.org/pressdetail.cfm?ID=205