RELEASE: SEEC Makes U.S. Government Cleaner and Greener, Helps Pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) secured a provision in the American Clean Energy and Security Act that will ensure that the U.S. federal government uses more renewable energy. This provision, sponsored by SEEC members Reps. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M), requires that federal government agencies must obtain 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. The provision also allows the federal government to enter into more substantial, long-term contracts for purchasing renewable energy, which will benefit capital-intensive renewable energy technologies like solar for which there is a delay between investment and cost-beneficial return.

H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, was passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219-212. The legislation will create millions of American clean energy jobs while significantly reducing American greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change, and putting the U.S. on a path toward energy independence.

As well, members of SEEC -- a caucus of 47 Democratic members of Congress organized to promote clean energy innovation, job creation and environmental protection -- worked to ensure the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act in the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress. SEEC members successfully delivered the votes of many of their colleagues for this historic bill.

“The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition pulled together for this legislation and accomplished significant changes that will green the federal government,” said SEEC co-chair Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), who helped to found the coalition in January, 2009. “I’m proud of the work of Reps. Titus, Giffords, Heinrich and others, and I look forward to working with them all in the future to further advocate for clean energy jobs through the combined strength of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.” Inslee, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, was instrumental in drafting many sections of the underlying H.R. 2454 legislation.

SEEC co-founder and co-chair Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) praised the Coalition’s efforts and the far-reaching benefits of this provision. “By harnessing the purchasing power of the federal government and directing that power toward renewable sources, we can generate a new demand and new economy for alternative energy technology. I’m proud of what the members of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, including Reps. Titus, Giffords and Heinrich, were able to help us accomplish in this landmark legislation,” said Israel.

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), applauded the work of these members and SEEC in a statement of support for the Titus-Giffords-Heinrich provision. “Understanding the tremendous potential of renewable energy sources in their states to jumpstart the economy and power our future, [Titus, Giffords and Heinrich] have worked together with the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition to craft provisions that will significantly increase the use of renewable power by the federal government,” said Hoyer.

“The federal government can now be a true partner with local energy producers as we build the clean energy economy. This amendment will put Americans to work and ensure the federal government leads by example on the use of clean energy,” said Heinrich, a first-term congressman from New Mexico. Representatives Titus, Giffords, and Heinrich expressed strong satisfaction regarding the passage of this provision which they feel will benefit renewable energy deployment for both the U.S. as a nation and for the solar energy-rich Southwest.

“Our amendment will drive demand for new clean energy technologies that will create clean energy jobs across the country and put the federal government in the position to lead by example,” said Titus. “By lengthening power purchase agreements, we will increase the profitability of clean energy and spur investments while saving money on our nation’s energy bill.”

The American Clean Energy and Security Act will now go before the Senate, where Democratic leaders have insisted that they will soon embark on the type of sweeping energy reform that today was passed by the House.

“Our great nation needs an energy policy that is focused on the future, not the past,” said Giffords. “The American Clean Energy and Security Act will move us toward this goal by spurring the creation of new businesses and protecting our environment.”