Frank Pallone: “Despite original efforts to pass a bipartisan bill to address some of our energy infrastructure needs, H.R. 8 has become…”

“Despite original efforts to pass a bipartisan bill to address some of our energy infrastructure needs, H.R. 8 has become an attempt by the Republican Party to create backward-facing legislation that replaces many good provisions with legislation that would continue to reward polluters and contribute to our climate change issue. {time} 2030 In yesterday's debate on the CRAs, we heard time and again that climate change is not a priority for Republicans because they are more concerned with the economy and jobs. Unlike the rhetoric that they would have us believe, a good economy and sound environmental policies are not mutually exclusive. We have actually experienced a boost in the economy under the Clean Air Act. However, climate change is having a real effect on our communities, from more frequent extreme weather events, like Hurricane Sandy, to the extreme drought in California, to the floods experienced in Florida. The emotional and economic tolls of these events have been great and will continue to increase the longer this Congress ignores these pressing issues. Mr. Chairman, we cannot continue to ignore climate change and disseminate misinformation. We are putting ourselves on a track towards irreparable damage. Climate change and energy are inexorably linked. Each are a facet of the other. Energy is the source of 84 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and any energy bill has a large impact on the direction of energy investment.…”