Today the House of Representatives took advantage of an historic opportunity to open the valve on clean energy jobs and economic opportunities, save consumers money and establish a legal limit on global warming pollution by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a vote of 219 to 212. Click here to find out how your Representative voted.
In his appeal to Congress this week, President Obama made clear:
“The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century’s global economy.”
Now we are a step closer to reclaiming our position as that nation. This important legislation marks the House of Representative’s first vote on a plan to establish a legal limit on our global warming pollution, and the bill’s passage demonstrates clear momentum toward achieving the President’s vision of a clean energy economy.
Just a few of the economic benefits from this legislation include:
According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, energy efficiency provisions will save approximately $1,050 per household by 2020 and $4,400 per household by 2030. 
Natural Resources Defense Council reports that ACES will create an average of 53,700 new jobs per state in our Southeastern region (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida).
The Congressional Budget Office calculates that households with the highest income would see a net cost of only $245 per year by 2020, while households with the lowest income would see a net benefit of $40 in savings per year by 2020.
Today’s vote was a critical first step in making comprehensive climate legislation a reality in this country. This important piece of legislation, however, must clear other hurdles before becoming law. SACE now calls on the Senate to move quickly in consideration of this bill and give America a chance to unleash the clean energy that will power the 21st century.