Clean Energy: What will Congress Approve? (image courtesy of indywriter on Flickr)

Perhaps not the most exciting thing to consider the day after Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett both pass away, but today, Capitol Hill is deciding on legislation that WILL change our lives.  And that will be for the foreseeable future.

So we’re wondering… with respect to clean energy: What will Congress Approve?

In recent days, the blogosphere has been lighting up with quotes and videos from Al Gore and the like, requesting a final push from Americans to help “RePower America.”  Today may be the day the waiting is finally over.  Still, there are some very reluctant Republicans in Congress who are not appreciative of the climate change legislation.

The House should vote on energy and climate change legislation on Friday, June 26, 2009.  President Obama is behind the efforts, along with leaders of the Democratic party.  Obama has requested his aides to go out and lobby for the clean energy bill.  Highlights of the proposal, sponsored by Representatives Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) include:

• A cap-and-trade program to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, to limit the impact of global climate change.
• Payment for the massive changes by private entities such as utilities and other industries that are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
• Regulation by the Agriculture Department (not the EPA) of the use of farm/forestry projects that may offset CO2 emissions from industrial sources.
• Considerations of whether to impose trade sanctions on countries who do not take part in cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

People on both sides of the fence are arguing over the cost.  I really find that ironic, consider what it will cost us if we don’t act.  Just consider the Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See, if you need more food for thought.  Nonetheless, if the clean energy bill is passed, we are talking about small increases in energy prices for the average American (less than $70/month).  Then, when you consider renewable energy rebate programs, the figures actually flip, with the lowest income households realizing a $40/month savings on their utility bills by 2020.

Consider this, still very-timely, video produced last summer for the We Can Solve It campaign:

President Obama is urging a positive vote today, noting that it could help position the U.S. as a global leader in clean energy technology.

I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the proposed bill – goes too far, or not far enough?  In the meantime, we can all just watch and wait to see what Congress will do today.

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Related posts:

1. American Clean Energy and Security Act
2. Nuclear Power: Renewable or Not?
3. How to ask your elected representatives to support renewable energy