Rep. Bono Mack: Climate bill transcends party lines

Rep. Bono Mack has an editorial in today's Desert Sun in which she says that building a cleaner energy economy is "an issue that transcends political party." More from the editorial:

This climate change legislation is one of the most sweeping, complex bills that Congress has considered in recent years. While far from perfect, this bill sets us on an important path toward building a greener, more sustainable economy.

Click here to read the entire editorial.

Broad coalition thanks Rep. Bono Mack

In response to the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act through the House Energy and Commerce Committee, League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski, Vote Vets Chairman Jon Soltz, AFL-CIO Building & Construction Trades Department President Mark Ayers, and Clean Economy Network President Jeff Anderson issued the following joint statement:

“Today, Representatives Henry Waxman, Mary Bono Mack, Lois Capps, Anna Eshoo, Jane Harman, Doris Matsui, and Jerry McNerney cast one of the most important votes of their careers. In supporting the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, they put America on the path to a clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs, reduce our dangerous addiction to foreign oil, and protect our planet from global warming. Their constituents should be proud of these Representatives.

The millions of workers, business leaders, environmentalists, and veterans that we represent are grateful to these leaders and offer our congratulations for their courageous action. We will continue to stand with forward thinking Members of Congress to strengthen and support this bill until President Obama signs it into law.”

Note: California Rep. George Radanovich voted against final passage of the bill.

Rep. Bono Mack votes for clean energy bill

Rep. Bono Mack has just voted for the American Clean Energy & Security Act in the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

Call Rep. Bono Mack at (202) 225-5330 and thank her for supporting a new clean energy future.

Final vote expected today

The Desert Sun continues its coverage of Rep. Bono Mack’s critical role in the ongoing debate over the American Clean Energy & Security Act. The House Energy & Commerce Committee is expected to vote on final passage this evening, and Rep. Bono Mack appears to still be undecided on this comprehensive clean energy legislation.

Environmentally minded Republicans, such as Bono Mack, have shown a willingness to break with hard-edged party members to work for a compromise, while some Democrats in coal-heavy states have pushed against some of their own teammates.

Bono Mack said she is pressing a full hand of concerns in the energy committee deliberations, especially regarding a controversial cap-and-trade provision that would establish a system for limiting carbon emissions and then trading excess margins on a market.

Make your voice heard. Call Rep. Bono Mack at (202) 225-5330. Tell her to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454).

Tracking Rep. Bono Mack's committee votes

Before the House Energy & Commerce Committee's final vote on the American Clean Energy & Security Act later this week, Rep. Bono Mack and her colleagues will cast many key committee votes.

To keep track of how Rep. Bono Mack votes on key amendments to the bill, visit LCV's special online committee edition of its nationally respected Environmental Scorecard at www.lcv.org/aces. The site includes detailed descriptions of amendments and each committee members' vote on those amendments.

Check back throughout the day and the week for the latest updates.

President announces national fuel efficiency policy

As Rep. Bono Mack and her colleagues on the House Energy & Commerce Committee debate the American Clean Energy & Security Act, President Obama today set in motion a new national policy aimed at increasing fuel economy. The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program.

The policy will increase the strength and competitiveness of America’s automakers, save consumers untold billions in future gas costs and significantly reduce the amount of global warming pollution our country will emit. Click here for more information.

Now it's time for Congress to act and further move us towards a cleaner, safer energy future.

Local business owner urges support for clean energy bill

The Desert Sun published an editorial today from Rodolfo Castillo, the owner of Cactusberry Yogurt in Palm Springs, urging Rep. Bono Mack to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act and work to ensure its passage in Congress. On this comprehensive clean energy legislation, Castillo writes:

"It includes just the right mix of policies needed to slash our dependence on oil; put our economy back on track with millions of new clean energy jobs; shift energy production toward cleaner, cheaper sources like wind and solar; and dramatically cut the carbon pollution that causes global warming."

Castillo urges the congresswoman to “stand up and lead the way on this legislation.” Click here to read the entire editorial.

Clean energy jobs for America

Rep. Bono Mack key committee vote on energy bill

As the Desert Sun reports this morning, Rep. Bono Mack is one of the most high-profile undecided votes on the American Clean Energy Security Act, citing a recent New York Times article in which the congresswoman said she's "a potential 'yes' and a potential 'no.'"

Rep. Bono Mack told the New York Times:

"I can tell you, I've never been paid more attention to in my entire life than I have in this debate."

The New York Times also quotes the congresswoman noting that "...by and large, my phone has been ringing off the hook and people are supportive."

Click here to e-mail Rep. Bono Mack. Tell her that residents of the 45th congressional district want Congress to pass a comprehensive clean energy bill that will create jobs and make the U.S. a leader in clean energy.

Doing nothing is not an option

This week, the Energy & Commerce Committee begins work on the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454). This comprehensive clean energy plan will create the industries of tomorrow and millions of new American jobs.

At a time when America has lost millions of jobs, it’s clear that we need to start moving in a new direction. Saying “no” or supporting the status quo is not an option.

But without a clear signal from the federal government about the direction of our energy future, investors and entrepreneurs won’t make any new investments. This means that new construction, new opportunities and new jobs won’t happen until Congress acts. In other words, we need Congress to send a clear signal that clean, low-carbon energy sources will power this country in the 21st century.

The American Clean Energy & Security Act is a strong start. It’s exactly the kind forward looking policy that will make the U.S. a leader in the clean energy technologies of the future.

Call Rep. Bono Mack at (202) 225-5330. Tell her to support the American Clean Energy & Security Act.

President discusses energy bill in weekly address

Local businesses support clean energy legislation

With markup for the American Clean Energy & Security Act scheduled to begin next week, local businesses are showing their support for comprehensive clean energy legislation. As the Desert Sun reported today, 100 merchants and entrepreneurs in California's 45th Congressional District signed the "Businesses for a Safe Climate" petition.

"Going green has really helped our business," said Rodolfo Castillo, co-owner of Cactusberry in downtown Palm Springs, who signed the petition. "And we've really used our business to bring awareness."

The petition, supporting the American Clean Energy & Security Act, was delivered to Rep.Bono Mack's office. Click here to read the entire article.

What are the tools that build a stronger future?

Click here for more from America's Building Trades Unions.

Big Oil's got the fattest wallet in the world

The League of Conservation Voters today launched a new radio ad in Rep. Bono Macks's congressional district exposing Big Oil's attempts to mislead the public and scare members of Congress into voting against comprehensive clean energy legislation. "Fattest Wallet" highlights the profit-driven motivations behind the oil industry’s staunch opposition to energy reform and calls on Americans to ignore the lies coming from the richest, dirtiest, most insidious industry in America. Check out the ad below.



Recently, a oil industry front group launched a series of false and misleading radio ads in nearly a dozen congressional districts. Click here for more information.

Democracia Ahora launches bilingual radio ads on clean energy

Recently, Democracia Ahora, an advocacy organization committed to advancing federal and state legislation vital to Hispanic communities, launched a bilingual radio campaign in Rep. Bono Mack's district. The ads urge the congresswoman to support a clean energy plan that will make America a global leader in energy, while also creating jobs that will grow local economies and create a green pathway out of poverty.

"These bilingual radio ads reinforce Democracia Ahora’s commitment to educate, empower and engage Latinos on issues that are vital to our community by urging them to engage with their local U.S. Representatives on the vital issue of Clean Energy," said Jorge Mursuli, Executive Director of Democracia Ahora. "The American Clean Energy and Security Act will build a green economy and create millions of new jobs for U.S. Hispanics and all Americans."

Click here to listen to both English and Spanish-language ads.

Thousands of California clean energy jobs