Quigley Issues Statement on Milestone Clean Energy Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - Following remarks by another member on the House floor this morning, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) responded with this statement regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES):

You know, it's interesting. Earlier today, someone asked me how can you vote for this measure, because global warming is a hoax.

My answer was, "it's very simple, I remove the blinders there that exist with some of my colleagues that think that global warming is a hoax."

I remind them that there are zero peer-reviewed scientific studies that say global warming is a hoax. There are hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies that say global warming is real, and that man's actions contribute greatly to that increase in temperature.

We're often asked, What's our legacy here? What really matters about what we do?

And I'd like to think it's how our children and our grandchildren will react to what we did, and what we left behind.

So let's face reality and do what's right, for our children and grandchildren.

While the cost of ACES to taxpayers is minimal and is a long-term investment that decreases over time, Cong. Quigley acknowledged the fear of dollar signs during a recession.

"It's hard to see the road ahead when times are tough; I get that, said Quigley. We have to remember though, that the cost of inaction far outweighs today's price tag. Energy costs are on the rise due to increased demand, and we're on an unsustainable path that will increase costs much more if we don't take action now. Going green will save green, because future savings will quickly outpace immediate costs. This bill will grow our GDP, help clear our air of harmful pollution, create clean energy jobs that will stay in America, and provide us with both environmental and economic hope for tomorrow."

Illinois stands to greatly benefit by investments in a clean-energy economy, according to a recent report by the Center for American Progress. Research finds that Illinois could see a net increase of approximately $6.6 billion in investment revenue and 70,000 jobs based on its share of a total of $150 billion in clean-energy investments annually across the country. Illinois' unemployment rate is currently more than 10%, a 25-year high for the state and higher than the national average.

Debate on this issue will dominate the legislative agenda today in Washington. Congressman Quigley intends to vote for the bill (H.R. 2454).