Kathy Castor: “This Republican bill weakens America's commitment to clean energy. It harms the huge number of jobs that are being…”

“This Republican bill weakens America's commitment to clean energy. It harms the huge number of jobs that are being created in the renewable energy sector. And it stalls consumer cost savings tied to energy efficiency. Democrats have a different vision. It is one that lowers costs on our neighbors back home, and helps create the higher paying jobs of the future. My amendment increases funding for the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy account by about $177 million, and it reduces funding for the fossil Energy Research and Development account by about $355 million. Energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives across America have a proven return on investment for taxpayers. This amendment is paid for by reducing, but not eliminating, accounts that do not have the same return on investment for taxpayers. Investments in energy efficiency and renewables create jobs and help make our businesses more competitive. Energy efficiency reduces costs for consumers. And wouldn't that be a positive development for taxpayers back home, that the Congress is asking to put more money back into their pockets? The amount proposed for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Republican bill is so low that America will have to reduce the number of research, development, and demonstration projects that are often supported with industry, at our great national laboratories, and at our fantastic universities. Mr.…”