Democratic Senators Introduce Energy Bill

Today, Senator Maria Cantwell, the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined by a group of other Senators, introduced The American Energy Innovation Act of 2015.

“We applaud the approach taken by Ranking Member Cantwell and her fellow Senators,” said Elizabeth Thompson, president of EDFAction. “This bill would tap America’s abundant clean energy potential to significantly reduce climate pollution while saving people money.”

At a news conference today, Senator Cantwell said this bill “is a technology driven pathway to a clean energy future,” reducing greenhouse gases by 34 percent from 2005 levels and saving consumers money.

“We also appreciate that they made the effort to assess the climate pollution impacts of the bill,” said Thompson. “Since energy is the source of 84 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions, any responsible energy bill should make it easier for the country to meet its climate goals. Just like every bill is scored for budget impacts, every energy bill should be scored for climate pollution impacts.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is also working on energy legislation. EDFAction calls on House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton to rigorously assess the emissions reductions of the House energy bill before it is brought to the floor. Members of Congress and all Americans deserve to know what is being voted on.

EDFAction is disappointed the bill being introduced today includes a provision that would redirect Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) revenues away from coastal restoration activities in Louisiana. This provision would have a dramatic negative impact on important coastal wetlands and does nothing to advance the climate and energy goals of the bill. EDFAction will closely study the bill and work with members of the Senate to improve it and move it forward.