Clean energy bill could benefit coal region

The United States House of Representatives passed the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" by a vote of 219 - 212. The bill passed by a slim margin after much lobbying by President Barack Obama and other Democratic members of Congress.

The bill is known in some quarters as the Waxman/Markey Bill, named for Congressman Henry Waxman, a Democrat from California, and Congressman Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts. The bill itself is 1,090-page piece of extensive and sweeping legislation that could have an enormous impact on our country.

The energy bill is promulgated on a straightforward and unpretentious edict to "Create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy."

By anyone's estimate, the bill's passage through the U.S. House of Representatives was by the narrowest of margins, especially when considering it's an act that can have enormous impact on how the country creates and uses energy. Next, the bill goes to the Senate where, if passed, it will be signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Why is there so much fuss surrounding this bill, and why was the vote so close in the House? Well, it would seem our leaders feel very strongly about this bill - whether for or against it - and each voted with his or her heart and conscience.

Dems v. Republicans

In general, Republican leaders feel the bill goes too far. They think the bill will have a negative impact on the economy and job creation by chasing existing American manufacturers overseas, where environmental laws are lax.

The Democratic leadership thinks the bill doesn't go far enough. They think the bill will take too long to enact; it's estimated regulations wouldn't take effect until approximately two years after the president would sign it into law.

The Democrats are also concerned that the bill doesn't do enough to address climate change. It fails to properly transition the U.S. into a low carbon economy, Dems have said. The bottom line is there was much compromise on the House floor, and the bill has passed its first hurdle .

The bill itself addresses climate change and how we can shift our economy over time to a renewable energy economy. Consideration for addressing climate change should be a major priority for all of us. The scientific debate on whether climate change is real is over. Scientific evidence shows man is definitely having an impact on the planet and climate change globally.

Earth's survived worse ...

Still, the planet could probably care less about 6 billion pesky humans scurrying over the surface of this big blue marble, each engrossed in their own personal continued existence. If we took a look back over geologic time and the history of planet Earth, we have oodles and oodles of information that shows the planet has been through much worse than what we humans have thrown at it.

Earth has heated up, cooled down and been covered in ice. It has sustained the dinosaurs and large meteorite strikes,gone through periods of reversal of the magnetic poles and much more. But in all there has been one constant: Earth is still here. The planet has repeatedly shown its ability to readjust and mend itself.

... but can we survive?

The real unknown denominator is not whether the planet will be here, but whether mankind's impact on the planet will have enough of a deleterious effect on the climate and environment to push mankind towards the extinction side of the equation. I believe the planet itself could give a rat's behind one way or another about climate change, and it will definitely keep on spinning along in space, regardless of mankind's impacts. The question is: Will we be here to enjoy her beauty and majesty, or will it be some other species that will fill our niche as the most dominant species on the earth?

Quite a perspective to wrap one's mind around! So let's get back to the most immediate consideration at hand: How do we, as a society, have an impact on our future and future generations? How can the energy bill be of immediate assistance to the United States' economic situation?

Historic legislation

The bill itself has many components that everyone should consider exploring, as this is a historic piece of legislation.

An excellent example of one of these components in the bill is under Subtitle H, "Energy and Efficiency Centers." Under Subtitle H, the bill calls for the Secretary of Energy to create clean energy innovation centers to enhance the nation's economic, environmental and energy security by promoting commercial development of clean, indigenous energy alternatives.

The bill goes on to state that this should be done by leveraging the expertise and resources of the university and private research communities, venture capitalists, national laboratories and other participants in energy innovation.

We're ahead of the curve

Well, our region has done just that. We are ahead of the curve for the first time in a long time with the Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC).

Our county commissioners, Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr., Rep. Merle Philips, Sen. Gordner, Congressman Chris Carney and other officials announced a program less than a year ago that could capitalize on our energy-producing history and abundant energy resources to create a new economy for our area. The platform for this new economy is KETEC, and we are actually ahead of the power curve.We have an opportunity to take advantage of H.R. 2454 and develop a new energy economy in our area.

Bill could equal funds

The bill calls for the creation of eight clean energy innovation centers. Our area already has one of these centers underway in the form of the KETEC, and we should be considered for funding because our idea is sound, innovative and further along than many others in the country.

The lower anthracite and coal regions, in general, have declined over the past 50 to 75 years, but it is our turn again. Our ideas and visions are in step with the best that Washington has to offer. And our innovations were promulgated well before the energy bill even reached the House floor for debate.

We have already formed strategic alliances with groups such as the Ben Franklin Partnership, Temple University, Penn State University, Manufacturers Resource Center and many others, to make this dream a reality. How did we do it? By using that good, old-fashioned know-how my wife likes to refer to as "Coal Region Moxie."

Our time to shine

We have a vision, a plan and leadership in place for our region to have another moment in the sun. It is our turn again. We are not asking for handouts. We are asking for what is rightfully ours, and that is an opportunity to remake ourselves in the nation's energy arena and the new green economy.

The planet doesn't need saving, it has been taking care of itself for millennia. We are the ones who need to be resuscitated, and the clean energy bill sounds like just the right therapy.

(Bartos is alternative

energy coordinator for

the lower anthracite

region through the office

of state Rep. Robert E.

Belfanti Jr.)

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