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More than 130 Members of Congress join call for more than 50 percent of U.S. electricity to come from clean and carbon-free sources by 2030

WASHINGTON, DC – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Congressman John K. Delaney (Md.-6) and Congressman Ben Lujan (N.M.-3) have filed resolutions in the House and Senate affirming the establishment of a national goal of more than 50 percent of America’s electricity production coming from clean and carbon-free electricity sources by 2030 and calling for the enactment of new legislation to achieve this goal. In a show of significant support for this initiative, the “50×30 Resolutions” are cosponsored by 30 Senators and 103 House Members.

The 50×30 Resolutions also are endorsed by The Union of Concerned Scientists, GreenLatinos, Green for All, Climate Hawks and the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus.

“Investment in clean energy is booming and Congress has to act swiftly or risk hurting the United States financially and damaging our global reputation as a clean energy innovator. If we don’t lead on clean energy, some other country will,” said Senator Cardin, who is a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “This resolution is a blueprint of where our nation needs to be. I don’t see this as a partisan issue, it’s about national security, economic security and public health. The next President of the United States will want to exert continued leadership in this area.”

“Pivoting to a clean carbon-free economy is about good-paying jobs, strengthening our national security and protecting our environment and public health. Over 100 Senators and Representatives have joined our effort to put clean energy and climate action on the Congressional agenda,” said Congressman Delaney. “There’s a consensus that it’s time to end climate denialism and time for Congress to get work on solutions.”

“Across the country and in my home state of New Mexico, the American people are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change, from more extreme fires and record drought to more severe storms, said Congressman Lujan. “Transitioning to a clean energy economy can mitigate these worsening effects while spurring innovative new sectors that will create jobs and economic opportunities in our communities. A national goal of 50 percent clean and carbon free electricity by 2030 establishes a realistic marker that will challenge our country and accelerate action that is good for our economy, our national security, and our health.”

The full text of the resolution is available here. In addition to Rep. Delaney and Rep. Lujan, the lead cosponsors in the House are Rep. Joe Kennedy III (MA-4), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2), Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15).

Current List of Original Senate Cosponsors [30]: Ben Cardin (Md.), Harry Reid (Nev.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Pat Leahy (Vt.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Diane Feinstein (Calif.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Tom Carper (Del.), Bob Menendez (N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Tom Udall (N.M.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Al Franken (Minn.), Chris Coons (Del.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Chris Murphy (Conn.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Angus King (Maine), Ed Markey (Mass.), and Cory Booker (N.J.).

Current List of Original House Cosponsors [103]: Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Rep. Don Beyer (VA-8), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (GU), Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-13), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Rep. Lois Capps (CA-24), Rep. Michael E. Capuano (MA-7), Rep. Tony Cardenas( CA-29), Rep. John Carney (DE), Rep. Matthew Cartwright (PA-17), Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Rep. David Cicilline (RI-1), Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-5), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-9), Rep. James E. Clyburn (SC-6), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9), Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Rep. John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-14), Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-7), Rep. John K. Delaney (MD-6), Rep.Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Rep. Mark Desaulnier (CA-11), Rep. Donna F. Edwards (MD-4), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5), Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-5), Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11), Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-9), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL-4), Rep. Janice Hahn (CA-44), Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10), Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-26), Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4), Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-2), Rep. Steve Israel (NY-3), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4), Rep. William Keating (MA-9), Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA-4), Rep. Daniel Kildee (MI-5), Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-6), Rep. Ann Kuster (NH-2), Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-2), Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-2), Rep. John B. Larson (CT-1), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), Rep. Sander Levin (MI-9), Rep. John Lewis (GA-5), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Rep. Ben R. Lujan (NM-3), Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-1), Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (MA-8), Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Rep. Doris O. Matsui (CA-6), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-6), Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-7), Rep. James McGovern (MA-2), Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-5), Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-6), Rep. Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Rep. Richard E. Neal (MA-1), Rep. Rick Nolan (MN-8), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2), Rep. Jared Polis (CO-2), Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-5), Rep. Charles B. Rangel (NY-13), Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-4), Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2), Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-1), Rep. John P. Sarbanes (MD-3), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-28), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3), Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-30), Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9), Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), Rep. Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Niki Tsongas (MA-3), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-7), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rep. Peter Welch (VT) and Rep. John A. Yarmuth (KY-3)

“The American people and businesses are doing their part to build a clean energy economy. Now it’s time for policymakers to stand with them by laying out a plan to power our country with more than 50 percent clean energy by 2030,” said Congresswoman Castor. “We already have the technology to achieve this goal, but political leaders must build on local efforts and the Paris agreement and set even more ambitious goals to cut carbon pollution.”

“Without a doubt, climate change is a serious threat to our way of life, our economy, and our children – not to mention the future of our planet – and we need to address it now,” Congresswoman Suzan DelBene said. “Our nation must take meaningful steps to build a new economy based on clean and renewable energy sources. Washington has an educated workforce, advanced manufacturing, and a growing technology industry, which make us poised to lead the way in meeting the goal of more than 50 percent clean and carbon-free electricity by 2030.”

“Whether protecting our environment, creating jobs or ensuring we remain a leader in global energy development, investing in clean energy technology today will strengthen us tomorrow,” said Congressman Kennedy. “However, this goal is only within reach if Congress acts now to implement the policies that will allow us to achieve it.”

“Combatting climate change is one of the seminal issues of our time and failure to act will have dire consequences for our economy, our children, and the future of our planet,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I am very proud to support this resolution that will help put US carbon emissions on a sustainable path while promoting our leadership role in responsible energy policy.”

“I am proud to co-lead the 50×30 resolution, which sets a national goal of more than 50% clean and carbon-free electricity by 2030 and is cosponsored by 103 House members and 30 Senators. Congress must stop delaying action on climate. The urgency of addressing climate change is before our eyes. My home state of California is in the midst of a severe drought; the year 2015 is the hottest in recorded history; and extreme weather events are happening across the globe,” said Congressman Ted W. Lieu. “We must also hold accountable groups and corporations which seek to deceive the American public as to the truth of climate change. The science and facts are on our side, and eventually the facts win. History books will one day say America led the way on addressing climate change and saving our planet – or there will be no history books. I hope the rest of my colleagues will join this crucial resolution.”

“I believe climate change represents one of the greatest threats to our national security, economic livelihood and the health of our planet,” said Rep. Mark Pocan. “This clean energy resolution highlights our commitment to finding clean and carbon-free solutions to our energy needs and shows the United States is willing to be an international leader in combating global climate change.”

“A national goal of more than 50 percent clean and carbon-free electricity by 2030 puts us on track to a safe, reliable and secure energy future,” said Congressman Swalwell. “It protects our environment and public health, and provides for economic stability.”

Media Contacts
Eric Gedstad: 617.854.1079 | egedstad (at) masshousing (dot) com
Tom Farmer: 617.854.1843 | tfarmer (at) masshousing (dot) com