Maine Audubon Supports the Federal Clean-Energy Bill

September 25, 2009

Topics: Conservation | Climate Change

Dear Maine Audubon, Since climate change is such a huge threat to wildlife, does Maine Audubon support the federal clean-energy bill?

Yes, Maine Audubon supports the Senate's Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a comprehensive energy-reform bill that could help reduce global-warming pollution, break America's dependence on foreign oil, and make America a leader for the 21st Century.

In fact, we're working with more than 20 other Maine organizations to show Maine senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins that the people of Maine want the U.S. Senate to pass the bill. In June, it passed the U.S. House of Representatives, where both of Maine's representatives, Mike
Michaud and Chellie Pingree, voted in favor.

To help stem the devastating effects of climate change, the legislation would limit greenhouse gas emissions, create a cap-and-trade system for emission permits, and reduce dependence on fossil fuel such as home-heating oil, which heats more than 80 percent of the houses in Maine.

Cumulative savings are estimated to be $750 per household by 2020 and $3,900 per household by 2030, based on implementing the bill's energy-efficiency standards alone. Not only would strong, clean energy legislation save money, incentives included in the bill would help create millions of clean-energy,"green-collar" jobs, including thousands of them in Maine, where the latest figures show an 8.4 percent unemployment rate.

Clean-energy jobs pay well, and can't be shipped overseas. They include manufacturing wind turbines and hybrid cars, researching new technologies, weatherizing homes and businesses, and installing solar panels and wind turbines.

What You Can Do

Let Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe know you support the American Clean Energy and Security bill. Ask them to support the legislation.

 Maine Audubon has set up an easy-to-use online action alert where you can send a message to our Senators with the click of a button. For maximum effectiveness, please edit the sample letter to include stories about how your own family and community might be affected by climate change, and the possibilities of a clean-energy economy. Follow this link to take action.

 Or make a phone call: reach Senator Collins at (202) 224-2523; and Senator Snowe at (800) 432-1599.

Please also thank Congressman Mike Michaud and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree for supporting the House version of this bill.

• Congressman Michaud can be contacted at (202) 225-6306.
• Congresswoman Pingree at (202) 225-6116.