Tom Udall: “I rise today to talk about global warming and our energy future, the epic challenges of our time. First, I want to…”

“I rise today to talk about global warming and our energy future, the epic challenges of our time. First, I want to applaud our leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for recognizing the importance of this issue to our children and our grandchildren. And I think she is right to put a deadline for the House to act. Energy independence and global warming are of paramount concern to the American people. Most polls show the American people, by 70 to 80 percent, think these are very serious problems. Today, a significant development occurred on this front. In the Capitol this morning, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership issued its call for action. This group is composed of environmental groups, World Resources Institute, NRDC, Environmental Defense, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change; industrial giants like Alcoa, BP, Caterpillar, Duke Energy and Dupont; and many others, including our power company in New Mexico, PNM Resources. Listen to what they say in their report: "We know enough to act on climate change." "The challenge is significant, but the United States can grow and prosper in a greenhouse gas constrained world." "In our view, the climate change challenge will create more economic opportunities than risks for the U.S. economy." "We need a mandatory flexible climate program." This report is significant, because major U.S. companies have stepped up to the plate and called for action now. They are optimistic. They believe we can get this done.”