Baucus Explores Job Growth Through Energy Independence in Hearing on Emissions Reduction Proposals
Finance Panel Presses Witnesses on Pending Climate and Energy Bill, Path to Good, High?Paying Jobs
Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D?Mont.) in a hearing today explored the effects of prospective climate change legislation on employment, focusing on the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage and nuclear power. Baucus convened the hearing to address competing claims that the legislation will either stimulate or impede job creation, in order to better determine what the Finance Committee might do to facilitate job growth as it develops energy and carbon emissions reduction legislation.
“What America needs now is jobs. And while there are differing views on the climate issue, we have an opportunity to retool energy to support domestic production and cut damaging pollutants and dependence on foreign sources, while creating jobs in the process. We need to find ways to help make that happen,”Baucus said. “America can clear the path toward sensible standards on climate change and we must ensure other nations follow suit. Our bill must strike the right balance for businesses, families and the environment, and it must meet our international obligations. I remain committed to crafting legislation that is both meaningful and that can build the support needed to become law.”
Today’s hearing is the fifth Finance Committee hearing on the topic since May, including separate examinations of both tax and trade implications, and revenues and auctions under an emissions reduction program.
The Chairman’s opening statement and full video footage of the hearing may viewed on the Finance Committee website here: http://www.finance.senate.gov/.
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