Rush applauds historic vote for ACES Act that both secures America's clean energy future while strengthening the working class

WASHINGTON, DC –– In the hours before today's historic House vote marking the first legislative step in ushering in America's clean energy future, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush spoke passionately from the well of the House floor in praise of Chairmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey for supporting key provisions that will allow low-income populations, and communities of color to have a viable place at the table of America's emerging, clean energy future.

"I fully support the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) because it will not only make our country more self-sufficient and energy independent, but it will also provide jobs and new economic opportunities for all of our citizens while opening up an entirely new sector of our economy for working class families," said Rush who's been a leader on U.S. energy policy both in Congress and in his Chicago community for decades.

"I am especially grateful that committee policy teams, leadership and staff worked side by side with my office, tirelessly, to improve this bill as it made its way through the legislative process and onto the House floor today.  As our children and grandchildren look back upon this historic vote, I believe that we are standing on the threshold of the dawn of a new era in our nation—an era where the impact of 'green jobs' will be as unparalleled in its impact on our economy as was the dawn of the railroad system in the 19th century or the Internet in the early part of the 21st century."

Rush, who also serves as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, pointed to several key provisions he and his staff were able to ensure made its way into the legislation.  Among them was the creation of a green construction careers demonstration program, authored by Rush, to promote middle-class careers and quality employment practices in the green construction sector.  This provision and others secured by Rush, combined, help to strengthen this legislation by not only protecting, low-, moderate- and middle-income families from rising energy costs, but they also provide essential assistance for individuals and families in a struggling economy who need new career pathways to move out of poverty and into quality, career-oriented jobs in construction and energy efficiency-related fields. A total of 60 percent of all allowances, or revenues generated from this bill, will go towards alleviating rising energy and other costs.

ACES also creates new jobs in a number of different industries with the construction trades getting the biggest boost.  The bill provides the Secretaries of Labor and Energy with significant authority to ensure that these green construction jobs are good, skilled jobs that are accessible to a diverse array of communities throughout the United States, particularly low-income and underrepresented  workers.

Highlights of key provisions Rush's team secured included:

• LOW-INCOME ALLOWANCES (60% of total allowances)
  
  
  1. Funding to offset electric bill rate hikes – 35%
  2. Funding to offset natural gas rate hikes – 10%
  3. Direct EBT and rebates for low-income families – 15%
  
  
• LOCAL TARGETED HIRING FOR MIDDLE-CLASS CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION
  
  A demonstration project that will provide $800 million for training  and career path opportunities to targeted, local historically underrepresented groups, including low-income individuals, returning veterans, single mothers and others for:
  
  
  1. Increased resources for pre-apprenticeship training
  2. Wider access to apprenticeship programs
  3. Additional job opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction trades.
  
  
• LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
  
  The LICEEP program, which will be funded at an estimated $60M annually and, ultimately, increasing up to $120M per year, will provide loans, technical assistance and grants to community development organizations.  This program will provide financing to minority entrepreneurs and businesses that improve energy efficiency; identify and develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies; provide technical assistance and promote job and business opportunities for low-income residents; and increase energy conservation in low- income, rural and urban communities.
  
  
• PUBLIC HOUSING RETROFIT PROGRAM
  
  
  1. Provides up to $100M annually for a retrofit program for public and federally-assisted housing.
  2. Clarifies that the dollar limits are for per unit not per building;
  3. Allows the dollar limits and the 50% maximum share to be waived by the Administrator and HUD Secretary;
  4. Requires the Secretary to establish an extended affordability period commensurate with the funding received;
  5. Assures that the funding could not be used for demolition of public housing;
  6. Assures the provision would not lead to rent increases.

# # #