Chairman Rush secures key provisions in first stage of House action on H.R. 2454, "The American Clean Energy and Security Act"

WASHINGTON, D.C. ––  The long march toward America's clean energy future ended its first round, this week, with the late night adoption, on Thursday, of the first markup of H.R. 2454, "The American Clean Energy and Security Act" (ACES).  Following a bipartisan majority vote of 33 – 25, in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-30) acknowledged the leadership role played by U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), and others, in helping to adopt legislation that will protect the environment by reducing harmful carbon emissions while also helping to reshape the U.S. economy with the launch of new energy, or "green," jobs.
 
"As someone whose leadership in clean, affordable energy extends back to my years of service in the Chicago City Council, I am proud to be a leader in an historic undertaking that is inclusive, bipartisan and that is focused on moving our nation's energy policy into the 21st century," said Rush who serves as the Committee's Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

"The amendments and provisions that I put forth, and were adopted by my colleagues, are designed to ensure that low-to moderate-income families are able to afford the essential upgrades that are needed to ensure that America's energy future is better than its past.  In our march toward that future, our energy resources must be available and affordable to every citizen.  I've worked diligently to include key provisions aimed at unleashing the energy innovation of community-based, non-profit organizations who work with diverse populations, day in and day out.  I believe these groups can make a difference in helping to ensure that the full range of benefits that will emerge from America's growing ‘green economy' extend to the needs and interests of historically underserved populations.  As this bill advances, I will continue to do all I can to support Chairman Waxman and other leaders to provide President Obama with a piece of legislation that all of us can support."

Since this bill was first introduced in the House on May 15, Chairman Rush and his legislative team have worked aggressively to press for the inclusion of several key provisions.  In a series of public letters to Chairman Waxman and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (MA-07), Rush outlined his concerns on several issues ranging from energy policy to the bill's economic impact on working class families.  Highlights of the Rush amendments and provisions that were included in ACES include:

• Low-Income Allowances: A provision that provides assistance for low-, moderate- and middle-income consumers through utility allowances (35%), natural gas utilities (9%), and direct rebates and EBT payments (15%);
• Low-Income Community Energy Efficiency Program ($50 Mil annually from 2010-2015): A provision that provides loans, technical assistance, and grants to private, non-profit, mission-driven community development organizations including community development corporations and community development financial institutions to provide financing to businesses and projects that improve energy efficiency; identify and develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies; provide technical assistance and promote job and business opportunities for low-income residents; and increase energy conservation in low-income, rural and urban communities.
• Large-Scale Car-Sharing Program: A provision that provides financial assistance for the regional deployment and integration of grid-connected, car-sharing vehicles operated by community-based programs that integrate with and extend the public transit system through provision of these vehicles for hourly usage.  Funds may be used by non-profit programs for offsetting the costs of purchasing new plug-in electric drive vehicles, for expanding and making the vehicles available to underserved communities and for other approved purposes.
• Funding for predominately black institutions that seek to establish Clean Energy Innovation Centers.
• Rush is also pushing for another important amendment that would include a provision that ensures that low-income and underrepresented workers are fairly included in construction-related jobs.
• And, finally, Rush is pressing for a provision in the bill that will provide grants to public housing agencies for energy retrofits and green investments in properties receiving assistance.

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1. Rush Letter to Chairman Waxman- ACES - (4/30/09)
2. Waxman Markey Letter- Local Targeted Workers - (5/19/09)
3. Waxman Markey Letter- Housing - (5/22/09)