The legislation sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy.
“The need to act on climate has never been clearer: 2019 is on pace to be one of the hottest years ever recorded and every week brings another community damaged by extreme weather events fueled by climate change” said Congressman McEachin. “That is why we must boldly transition to a 100 percent clean economy. The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 will protect public health and our environment; create high-quality green jobs that will strengthen our economy; and mitigate the impacts of climate change for all communities and all generations. Our climate crisis demands immediate action and this bill will ensure that our children and our children’s children will have healthier lives and a stronger, more sustainable economy.”
Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM), Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, added that the US has the potential to be a world leader in combating climate change by revolutionising its economy through clean energy, but that right now the country is under an administration that thinks coal is the future. The 100 percent Clean Economy Act will deliver a bold new deal for American families by building an economy where jobs pay a living wage and where the US protects its land, air and water for future generations while fighting climate change.
To ensure the United States gets started soon, the 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 directs federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put the United States on a path toward meeting the achievable 100 percent clean economy goal while remaining technology-neutral. The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate agency plans, make recommendations to strengthen them as needed, and report each year on progress toward a 100 percent clean economy. The bill also creates an advisory committee, composed of a broad range of stakeholders, to provide recommendations on one or more interim goals.
The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 lays out principles for federal agency action, including, but not limited to:
Improving public health, resilience, and environmental outcomes, especially for low-income and rural communities, communities of colour, Tribal and indigenous communities, deindustrialised communities, and other communities disproportionately impacted by climate change;
Enhancing quality job creation and ensuring fairness and equity for workers and communities affected by the transition to a 100 percent clean economy;
Providing benefits for consumers, small businesses, and rural communities; and
preparing communities for the impacts and risks of climate change.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has supported the introduction of the bill with a statement by ACORE President and CEO Gregory Whetstone.
“The 100 percent Clean Economy Act is further evidence of the growing momentum to accelerate the transition to pollution-free renewable power” said Mr Whetstone. “We welcome its introduction and believe the most important thing Congress can do right now to make progress toward this goal is to prioritise enactment of critical clean energy tax incentives as part of any must-pass legislation this year.”
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