LANSING – The House Great Lakes and Environment Committee today approved a resolution introduced by State Representative Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) calling on the U.S. Congress to approve clean energy legislation that will create jobs in Michigan, protect our way of life and end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
"This plan makes critical investments in clean energy technology that will help create jobs for Michigan workers," said Warren, Chair of the Great Lakes and Environment Committee. "With so many of our workers struggling to make ends meet after seeing their jobs shipped to other states and countries, this is exactly what we need to create new opportunities for them. This plan also helps to protect our land, air and water by investing in clean energy solutions. It's a win-win."
Warren's resolution reads, in part: "The Clean Energy and Security Act will put Americans back to work building, delivering, and installing the systems and technologies that will help us meet our climate and energy challenges."
The American Clean Energy and Security Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June and now awaits action in the U.S. Senate. The plan increases investments in clean energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and help put Michigan in charge of its own energy future. It also will reduce America's dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
"There is no reason that we should send billions of dollars overseas when we can pump those dollars into our own economy and create jobs for our workers, while doing our part to combat climate change," Warren said. "Our land, air and water are precious here in Michigan, making the Great Lakes a truly beautiful place to live and work. The clean energy plan before Congress will help protect our natural resources and our special way of life. I call on our lawmakers in Washington to approve the American Clean Energy and Security Act to help fight climate change and create jobs for Michigan workers."