Report: Climate change bill would bring jobs to Pa.

From this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a new study showing the benefits of clean energy legislation to Pennsylvania:

Report: Climate change bill would bring jobs to Pa.

A report by the University of Illinois, the University of California and Yale University says that climate and energy legislation now in Congress, if passed, could create up to 78,000 new jobs in Pennsylvania. The report said investments under the American Clean Energy and Security Act could add up to $4.3 billion to the state's gross domestic product. The San Francisco-based Energy Foundation, an advocate for energy efficiency and renewable energy, commissioned the report.

Read it at the Post-Gazette.

They said it couldn't be done

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a historic move towards moving the American energy economy toward clean, renewable power. The House voted late Friday 219-212 for passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Although some Senators (Sen. James Inhofe R-OK) are claiming the bill is DOA (Dead on Arrival) in the U.S. Senate, I wouldn't be so sure. We're one major crisis away from $4.00 a gallon gasoline at a time when the American people are demanding clear and positive change from the old ways of doing things.

Stay tuned to where this issue goes in the U.S. Congress by joining Repower America today.

A House Vote Nears, Activists Make "Last Call"

The Clean Energy Jobs plan, HR 2454, is on the verge of coming to the floor for final passage. We need your help to make sure it gets through the House of Representatives. Come join us Friday from 4 - 7pm for a BYOC (Bring your own cell) Phone Bank at Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, under the tent as we call Repower members in targeted districts, asking them to put the heat on their Representatives. Lemonade, fresh produce, and quarters for meters will be provided to volunteers.

Opponents of the bill - devoid of any new ideas - have resorted to making up their own facts and statistics about the bill's impacts. Here's the truth: Clean energy isn't a tax on consumers; it's a boom to our economy by finally unlocking the potential of the green energy sector. Most consumers who don't take a single step to use energy more wisely will see their price of energy increase by about the cost of a postage stamp a day. But consumers who are wise and work to conserve energy and use it more efficiently will actually see reductions in their energy bills because this bill makes efficiency and conservation more achievable for average consumers.

This is the first-ever vote by the U.S. Congress to cap carbon dioxide emissions. The bill also invests in green jobs and clean energy by setting a national renewable energy porfolio standard and sets goals for the development of a Smart Electricty Grid - one that reduces waste and excess.

"The whole world is looking at our capital. The whole world is waiting to see whether or not president Obama can arrive in Coppenhagen as leader of the attempt to reduce green house gases while at the same time unleashing a clean energy job revolution in our country and on our planet," said Congressman Ed Markey at a press conference Wednesday.

And Tuesday, President Obama called on the Congress to pass The American Clean Energy and Security Act. This is the historic change we can believe in. This is the change we need to make now if we are are avert global climate catastrophe. This is your moment. Will you join us to make history?

Al Gore says our best response to the attacks of the far right is "reality"

Former Vice President Al Gore addressed thousands of people across America tonight on a nationwide calling, calling each of us to action in the most critical week of the fight to secure energy independence and meaningful climate legislation thus far. I'm paraphrasing, but this is some of what Mr. Gore had to say tonight:

We need each of you to call your member of Congress. Let them know how important it is for the U.S. to finally act to curb the polluting emissions associated with global climate change. You won't believe how easy it is to call your member of Congress and tell them to vote YES on final passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Friday the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up HR 2454 for final passage. It will take 218 votes to pass the landmark legislation, and the final score is not nearly as important as getting it done and sent to the U.S. Senate where a broad coalition will work to pass this bill for the President's signature before the world meets in Copenhagen.