Sunbeams Are Free · @JackDeTate
8th Jul 2010 from Twitlonger
Dear Senator Barbara Boxer, the U.S. Senate will take on the important task of deciding between a cleaner, brighter future for California or the dirty energy policies of the past.
As a constituent in California, I am writing to urge your support for comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year that will create
jobs and reduce the harmful pollution that threatens our planet.
Passage of clean energy and climate legislation is one of the most important things we can do to
revitalize our economy and help solve the climate crisis. Putting a price on carbon will drive investment in clean energy technologies, creating millions of good-paying jobs. A recent report from the Center for American Progress finds that investing $150 billion a year in our clean energy economy can generate 1.7 million jobs across the U.S., including thousands in California.
These are homegrown, American jobs for American workers, jobs that use the skills of today's labor force and that cannot be outsourced. As our national unemployment rate sits at more than 9 percent, we need these jobs now more than ever.
In addition, comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation will reduce our dependence on foreign
oil that threatens our national security. Top-ranking admirals and generals have pointed to climate change as a grave threat to our national security, saying the first priority for the new administration should be fully integrating our energy security and climate change goals into national security and military planning.
By transitioning to a clean energy economy, America can stop sending billions of dollars to unstable,
hostile regimes for their oil and start pumping that money back into our own economy. Passing climate
legislation will allow us to invest in domestic energy sources, like wind, solar and geothermal --
reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring we leave behind a healthy, prosperous planet
for future generations. Failure to act will continue to put California's economy, our nation's economy,
our national security and the health of our planet in jeopardy.
With leadership in the Senate, we can pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation and
begin the important transition to a clean energy economy -- addressing all of our most pressing problems at once:
creating millions of new jobs,
hastening our economic recovery,
strengthening our national security
and preserving our planet for future generations.
As my Senator, it's your leadership I turn to, and as your constituent, I strongly urge you to support
comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year.
Sincerely,
Jack DeTate