Senate Concurrent Resolution 504

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADOPT LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES JOBS AND INNOVATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, HEIGHTENS NATIONAL ENERGY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY, POSITIONS THE UNITED STATES TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN THE FIELD OF CLEAN ENERGY, AND ADDRESSES THE CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE WITHOUT PREEMPTING STATES' RIGHTS TO CONTROL EMISSIONS AND TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

WHEREAS, the United States currently spends approximately One Billion Dollars a day to import oil, and by 2030, the United States Department of Energy estimates that without comprehensive clean energy legislation the country's reliance on foreign oil could cost Eight and One-half Trillion Dollars; and

WHEREAS, under United States' current energy policy, American wealth is being transferred to nations that are rich with oil, and many of those nations are politically unstable or unfriendly to the United States; and

WHEREAS, clean energy jobs are growing at a rate of 250% faster than the rest of the economy; and

WHEREAS, the United States Energy Information Administration projects clean energy job growth of up to 2,000,000 new jobs resulting from comprehensive clean energy legislation; and

WHEREAS, there is significant global competition for clean energy development that could weaken the United States economy and threaten American innovation, without comprehensive clean energy legislation; and

WHEREAS, over the past two decades, in the absence of comprehensive federal clean energy legislation, the states have been the true "laboratories of democracy" by advancing clean energy policies; and

WHEREAS, many states have adopted renewable energy standards and goals that require a significant percentage of a state's electricity to be generated from nonfossil fuel renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, wave, hydropower, and biomass and biofuels, which sources have led to significant job growth in the clean energy sector of the national economy; and

WHEREAS, as of 2009, Mississippi has created a clean energy economy with 459 businesses creating 3,200 jobs; and

WHEREAS, state leadership has resulted in job growth and has reduced reliance on imported energy sources, thus resulting in opportunities for renewed economic development; and

WHEREAS, the generation of electricity through the use of renewable energy presents opportunities to promote energy self-sufficiency, create jobs and economic benefits, preserve natural resources and improve the environment; and

WHEREAS, carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is still under development, is the key enabling technology for a future in which we can continue to use our vast coal resources and also protect the climate; and

WHEREAS, high oil prices reduce the purchasing power of American consumers, spur inflation and boost the prices of basic goods and services; and

WHEREAS, compressed natural gas is significantly lower in greenhouse gas emissions compared with other fossil fuels, provides peaking and intermediate phase power to supplement renewable energy sources like wind and solar, and is an important fuel source to bridge from conventional fossil fuels to a cleaner energy economy; and

WHEREAS, wave energy is a potent and readily available form of clean energy with an immense amount of power potential to supply clean, emission-free base load electricity; and

WHEREAS, a national statutory framework for clean energy will provide a predictable regulatory framework that will spur innovation and discovery in the clean energy sector; and

WHEREAS, without Congressional action, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced their intention to regulate greenhouse gas emissions through administrative rules rather than through legislation; and

WHEREAS, the United States House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act on June 26, 2009, on a bipartisan vote, and bipartisan members of the United States Senate are currently considering and drafting the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress has the historic opportunity to enact comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate legislation that will strengthen our national security, grow clean energy jobs, reduce pollution and advance America; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

(1) That the United States Congress passes comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate legislation;

(2) That such national legislation creates a unified framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

(3) That such national legislation protects low and moderate income Americans from increased energy costs, and invests substantially in energy efficiency;

(4) That such national legislation supports alternative sources of energy, including, but not limited to, wind, solar, wave, hydroelectricity, biofuels, advanced nuclear energy research, and clean coal technologies;

(5) That such national legislation includes strong protections for environmentally sensitive off-shore and on-shore oil and gas exploration and makes all new exploration subject to the approval of affected states;

(6) That such national legislation acknowledges the carbon intensive nature of the U.S. economy and includes emissions offsets that protect energy consumers; and

(7) That such national legislation does not preempt state legislative efforts to control carbon emissions and to advance clean energy innovations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State of the State of Mississippi is directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States, the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and to Mississippi's congressional delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.