Passage of Historic Climate Change Legislation

Miller Hails Passage of Historic Climate Change Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. George Miller (D-CA) released the following statement after the House approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, one of President Obama’s top domestic priorities.

“Today’s vote represents a monumental step forward in our effort to build a vibrant and green economy based on clean energy, less foreign oil, and a reduction in greenhouse gases,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee and one of the co-authors of the energy bill. “Californians have led the nation in breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and have always known that the future belongs to clean energy technology jobs. It is long past time for us to stop sending our national treasure to pay for foreign oil. This bill gives us the opportunity to follow California’s lead and move America in a new energy direction.

“The provisions in this bill will drive energy costs down for consumers and families in the long run and will create millions of clean energy jobs that cannot be shipped overseas,” Miller added. “And, in a very important step, under our bill American workers will be able to take advantage of opportunities that will help them transition into the new sustainable careers of the future.”

As chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Miller wrote into the bill significant provisions to ensure workers affected by climate change policy have access to health care coverage, income support, and employment services so they can transition into green economy jobs.

Among other provisions to assist workers in transition, eligible workers impacted by the new energy policy would:

• Receive income support equal to 70 percent of their income for up to 156 weeks;
• Receive an 80 percent credit toward their monthly health care premiums;
• Have access to job training opportunities, including on-the-job training programs, as well as other support services; and
• Receive job search allowances and relocation assistance, up to $1,500 for each;

In addition, Miller hailed the inclusion of an important water efficiency program in the legislation:

"WaterSense lets consumers make smarter decisions about their water and energy use,” Miller said. “Expanding the WaterSense program and providing incentives for water-saving consumer products will help reduce demand for water and energy, both of which are key to transitioning to a clean energy economy.”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program to promote water efficiency and reduce energy consumption was included in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 at the urging of Reps. Miller, Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA). The WaterSense program, similar to the EnergyStar program, promotes voluntary labeling of products and services that are water efficient.

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economy energyandenvironment global warming green jobs

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