Recently U.S. Reps. Donald McEachin, Deb Haaland and Debbie Dingell began drafting the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019. The legislation sets a national goal of transitioning our economy to a 100% clean energy economy with net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
Our economy is currently driven by fossil fuels and it is wreaking havoc on our atmosphere, our lands, our oceans, our drinking water and our climate. We need to move toward a 100% clean energy economy and we need to move now.
The 100% Clean Economy Act charges federal agencies to use existing authority to act immediately on transitioning our economy away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy, such as solar and wind, across all sectors of our economy.
The legislation ensures an equitable and just transition by providing federal agencies with guiding principles of action rooted in justice and equity. These principles include improving community resiliency and public health for communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change (which have historically been communities of color, tribal communities, and rural and low-income communities) and creating good paying jobs for workers affected by the transition.
The majority of American voters want to see our country address climate change. The 100% Clean Economy Act addresses climate change at the systemic level. Reps. Chris Pappas and Annie Kuster have been climate champions before. I know they can be climate champions again. I strongly urge Pappas and Kuster to co-sponsor the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019.
MELISSA ROBINSON
Manchester