House Energy and Commerce Committee Leadership Share Thoughts on Climate Change

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy Fred Upton, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Climate Change John Shimkus recently released their op-ed on the state of climate change in the U.S.

Among the other issues surrounding climate change, the article touches on the recently introduced Green New Deal resolution, which has been a source of debate on the Hill since its introduction. Looking bigger picture, the Congressmen state that “We must address climate change in ways that focus on American prosperity and technological capabilities while maintaining America’s leadership in clean and renewable energy innovation. By doubling down on innovation, we can supply the world with new tools to combat emissions.”

In conjunction with this op-ed, Ranking Members Walden and Shimkus also sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr, and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Paul Tonko expressing similar sentiments, with particular criticism aimed at the Green New Deal. “It will be important to recognize the ingredients for this nation’s continuing success in global technological leadership when addressing future risks in energy, climate, and national security. For this reason, we urge you to avoid entertaining or resurrecting policies that have been shown to be costly and harmful to consumer and worker interests and focus instead on the bipartisan policies that lay a path of progress towards cleaner energy while ensuring the expansion of economic prosperity and opportunities for American workers.”

The Green New Deal is sense of Congress resolution that was recently introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to the House of Representatives. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced a companion resolution to the Senate. The resolution has a strong focus on carbon emissions reduction, which is directly linked to goals of job creation. The resolution implies massive new investments for overhauling the U.S. transportation sector, which could including installing clean, affordable, and accessible public transit as well as infrastructure to support zero-emission transportation.

To view Reps Walden, Shimkus and Upton’s Op-Ed, click here: https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2019/02/13/republicans_have_better_solutions_to_climate_change_111045.html

To view Reps Walden and Shimkus’ letter to Chairmen Pallone and Tonko, click here: https://republicans-energycommerce.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/02-13-19-Letter-to-Pallone-and-Tonko-on-Climate.pdf

To view the text to the Green New Deal resolution, click here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/109/text