Rep. Pallone addresses proposed goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 at House subcommittee hearing

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce outlined a process to develop legislation to address climate change this week.

The goal is to achieve 100 percent clean energy in the country by 2050.

“Our plan is based on the science. International scientific experts tell us we must invest in clean technologies and initiate an aggressive, economy-wide effort now to achieve this goal. So yesterday we outlined a process for reaching that goal – and that process begins today with this hearing where we will examine the challenges and opportunities that exist for reducing greenhouse gas pollution from the major sectors of our economy,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) said at a subcommittee hearing entitled, Building America’s Clean Future: Pathways to Decarbonize the Economy.

Pallone is spearheading the plan along with Reps. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Paul Tonko (R-NY).

Pallone cited recent reports by U.S. scientists and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change about the threats of carbon pollution.

“We are already experiencing record flooding, sea level rise, intense wildfires, extended drought, and severe weather events that experts projected would come with increased warming. These events are taking a terrible toll on our communities, and we must act. Transforming our economy is no easy task. There will be costs associated with a transformation of this scope, but the costs of inaction are extremely high and rising,” Pallone said.

He applauded the commitment of 28 global companies, representing a combined market capitalization of $1.2 trillion, who committed to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

“As we will hear from our witnesses, this transformation is challenging, but not impossible. We have many technologies available today that, with wider deployment, can lower carbon and other harmful pollutants in the near term. Some sectors will present greater challenges and will require new technologies and significant investment to reach net zero. We want to reward innovation and the businesses that invest in clean technologies,” Tonko added.

The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) commended the effort.

“The Business Council for Sustainable Energy supports a policy approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that is economy-wide, incorporates market-based mechanisms and embraces the full suite of clean energy technologies. Options for a comprehensive policy approach to climate change include carbon pricing measures as well as complementary energy, infrastructure and transportation policies that both reduce emissions and improve our nation’s resilience to climate change,” BCSE President Lisa Jacobson said.