On Friday, June 26th, the US House of Representatives passed the historic American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) by a vote of 219 to 212. Thank you to everyone who took action in support of this legislation! Members of the Bay Area's congressional delegation who voted for this critical bill included Barbara Lee, Anna Eshoo, Nancy Pelosi, Jackie Speier, Mike Honda,Zoe Lofgren and Lynne Woolsey. We applaud their votes.
Websites of the Congressional Quarterly, Washington Post, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce offer summaries of ACES.
The legislation does contain some investments in climate adaptation projects that will help the world's most vulnerable communities better cope with the effects of climate change. Greater funding for these cost-effective projects is needed. Responding to the House's action, Oxfam America President Raymond Offenheiser said the bill "finally addresses the immediate needs of vulnerable communities everywhere who are being hit first and worst by the negative impacts of climate change."
ACES now moves to the Senate, which is expected to consider it in September. Before becoming law, the Senate must approve the bill, a conference committee must reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions, and final votes must be taken. Then President Obama will be empowered to sign it into law.
Stay tuned for more information...
