Doris Matsui: “the debate over our Nation's energy policy is both a national and a local one. Energy policy impacts our national…”

“the debate over our Nation's energy policy is both a national and a local one. Energy policy impacts our national security, our international trade balance, and our relations with other countries. At the same time, energy policy reaches into every single State, county, and Congressional district. The energy bill we consider today recognizes this fact. It makes significant investments in the new energy sources, research, and technology that will power our economy in the future. It revolutionizes our energy policy at the national and local levels. And it improves the way local communities around the country use, generate, and conserve power. In my hometown of Sacramento, energy is an especially important local issue. Sacramento is located at the confluence of two mighty rivers, and at the base of a large watershed. This leaves us vulnerable to catastrophic floods that are made more likely because of global warming. The more we burn fossil fuels for energy, the higher our flood risk. In Sacramento, changing our national energy policy means reducing our dependence on foreign oil, preserving our environment, and stopping global warming. It also means protecting our homes. Mr. Chairman, the people of Sacramento are eager to change their energy consumption habits. In fact, we have already made significant investments in a new energy economy. Sacramento has a growing clean-energy industry that is poised to take off.”