Debbie Halvorson on Energy & Oil

Commit our nation to clean and renewable sources of energy

Now is a time for action. We must commit our nation to higher environmental standards and clean and renewable sources of energy. These goals are not only good for our environment, but will improve our economy, generate jobs, and make us more secure.

Voted YES on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollution.

1. issuing, trading, and verifying renewable electricity credits; and
2. prescribing standards to define and measure electricity savings from energy efficiency and energy conservation measures.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. ED MARKEY (D, MA-7): For the first time in the history of our country, we will put enforceable limits on global warming pollution. At its core, however, this is a jobs bill. It will create millions of new, clean-energy jobs in whole new industries with incentives to drive competition in the energy marketplace. It sets ambitious and achievable standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass so that by 2020, 20% of America's energy will be clean.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. BOB GOODLATTE (R, VA-6): I agree that this bill has very important consequences, but those consequences are devastating for the future of the economy of this country. It's a fantasy that this legislation will turn down the thermostat of the world by reducing CO2 gas emissions when China & India & other nations are pumping more CO2 gas into the atmosphere all the time. We would be far better served with legislation that devotes itself to developing new technologies before we slam the door on our traditional sources of energy like coal and oil and and nuclear power. We support the effort for energy efficiency. We do not support this kind of suicide for the American economy. Unfortunately, cap and trade legislation would only further cripple our economy.

Include agricultural products in renewable fuels.

To amend the Clean Air Act as follows:
• Define 'lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions' as the aggregate quantity of direct greenhouse gas emissions relating to the full fuel lifecycle, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy.
• The term 'lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions' includes greenhouse gas emissions from all stages of fuel and feedstock production and distribution, from feedstock generation or extraction through the delivery and use of the finished fuel, accounting for the relative global warming potential of the greenhouse gases.
• Reassign the baseline for renewable fuels at 3 year intervals, beginning in 2008.
• Define 'renewable biomass' as materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from National Forest System land and public lands that:
  • are byproducts of preventive treatments
  • that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels; to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation; or to restore ecosystem health;
  • would not otherwise be used for higher-value products; and
  • are harvested in accordance with land management plans; old-growth maintenance; and large-tree retention; or
  • any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non-Federal land including renewable plant material; feed grains; algae; crop residue; vegetative waste material; animal waste and byproducts; food waste and yard waste.