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JOINT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT A STRONG FEDERAL CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE BILL
WE, your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Maine now assembled in the Second Regular Session, most respectfully present and petition the United States Congress as follows:
WHEREAS, not only the State of Maine, but the United States as a whole, is now facing historic energy and climate challenges, particularly economic and environmental challenges, that are a result of our overdependence on fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS,  citizens of the State of Maine are finding it increasingly difficult to heat their homes affordably, and federal action on our energy and climate is long overdue; and
WHEREAS,  the Federal Government must act quickly to develop and implement a clear climate and energy policy; and
WHEREAS,  Maine has the oldest housing stock in the nation, and 80% of Maine homes are heated with oil, and Maine people suffer major financial hardship during periods of price volatility; and
WHEREAS,  the Central Intelligence Agency has created a center on climate change, the United States Marine Corps plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2020 and the United States Navy is reducing its carbon pollution on homeland bases by 50% by 2020 and launching a clean energy battle group by 2016; and
WHEREAS,  Maine’s industrial sector is struggling with its energy costs, putting hundreds of good jobs at risk throughout the State; and
WHEREAS,  having access to efficient energy, using the cheapest and cleanest form of energy and properly weatherizing buildings would create jobs and reduce energy consumption and energy costs for the vast majority of the people of Maine; and
WHEREAS,  Maine has created the Efficiency Maine Trust to coordinate energy efficiency efforts across the State; and
WHEREAS,  Maine is a leader in renewable power research and development, is successfully migrating from fossil fuels to nonfossil fuels and indigenous and renewable resources and has a plan in place to develop significant inland and off-shore wind farms as a means to create jobs, reduce our carbon impact and produce clean, renewable power; and
WHEREAS,  Maine must become a leader in the energy sector with a workforce prepared with the skills and information necessary to attract strong, vibrant businesses; and
WHEREAS,  the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which passed in the United States House of Representatives, lays the foundation for solving America’s energy and climate challenges; and
WHEREAS,  this Act would increase the use of renewable energy, spur the development of a smart power grid, promote electric vehicles and require the implementation of energy efficiency measures; and
WHEREAS,  the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 will put Americans back to work building, delivering and installing the systems and technologies that will help us meet our energy and climate challenges; and
WHEREAS,  in addition, 2 other major bills have been introduced in the United States Senate on this important subject, including the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act and the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, your Memorialists, on behalf of the people we represent, respectfully urge and request that the United States Congress enact a strong clean energy and climate bill that:
1. Puts in place a carbon reduction standard that reduces carbon emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020;
2. Dedicates revenues for energy efficiency and weatherization, giving priority to those states with the greatest need;
3. Ensures that states retain their authority to set higher standards than the Federal Government; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.