Bolster energy bill vs. Big Oil, polluters

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that will fire the starting gun in the race to build America's clean energy economy and solve global warming.

We applaud Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Bobby Rush for voting for this important legislation, and their work to strengthen it. The bill can, and must, do better to unleash the potential of clean energy to transform our economy, put millions of Americans back to work, and solve global warming.

Unfortunately, Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and other polluters, and the members of Congress who do their bidding, weakened the bill in ways that will delay the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy and miss the opportunity to make a real transition in the nation's energy policy.

Given the huge opportunity before us, the science on global warming, and the dire state of our economy, these are delays that neither the environment nor the economy can afford. Now is the time for bold and meaningful action on clean energy and global warming.

We urge Rep. Schakowsky and Rep. Rush and the rest of the Illinois Congressional delegation to strengthen the bill as it moves forward.

Christine Del Priore

Environment Illinois

Chicago