Barbara Boxer: “Here is what NextGen found: Achieving more than 50 percent clean energy by 2030 will spur economic growth and create…”

“Here is what NextGen found: Achieving more than 50 percent clean energy by 2030 will spur economic growth and create jobs. I agree. Second, most Americans support a goal of more than 50 percent clean energy by 2050. I think the polls bear that out. Third, climate change puts America's economy and security at risk. I absolutely agree with that. We have been told that by the defense establishment. Next, transitioning to a clean energy economy will prevent climate disaster. That is true. Lastly, they say 50 percent clean energy by 2030 is feasible. Although I haven't studied this myself, I can say the Energy Information Administration estimates that this can happen if we take the kind of steps President Obama is recommending and a lot of us in the Senate support, putting a price on carbon that will save us from devastating climate change. It will provide jobs and will make us a healthier nation. As I said, I rise today to talk about one of the most serious threats facing our Nation--dangerous climate change. We need to act now, but the Republican majority in Congress has no plan to address the threat posed to the American people. The evidence of climate change is all around us. NASA and NOAA found that 2014 was the hottest year around the globe since recordkeeping began 134 years ago. Earlier this month, the American Meteorological Society reported that numerous key climate change indicators were at or near record levels last year.…”