EDITOR:

The unofficial start of summer sounded the start of the race to bring clean energy jobs to Michigan and the nation through comprehensive climate and energy legislation. After several drama-filled weeks of negotiation, the House Energy and Commerce Committee emerged with a blueprint and an expanded coalition of members of Congress ready to make the U.S. the world's clean energy leader.

The committee leadership gained a lot of its momentum from the bully pulpit of President Obama, who has made building the clean energy economy one of the cornerstones of his agenda. He supports the House bill, called the American Clean Energy & Security Act, because it includes the right mix of policies needed to slash our dependence on oil, put our economy back on track with new clean energy jobs, and shift energy production toward cleaner, cheaper sources like wind and solar.

This bill seeks to create the industries of tomorrow right here in Michigan and across America. Congressman Bart Stupak should be commended because he set an example for Michigan's entire congressional delegation and improved the bill's chances of passage when it comes to a vote in the full House this summer.

As with any consensus plan, there is room for improvement, but the core of the bill is an agreement to steadily reduce emissions of carbon pollution. The legislation includes other important measures, including: building codes that will help cut the energy use of new buildings in half by 2015, approximately $10 billion annually in new funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency, and an ambitious effort to reduce deforestation around the world.

Of particular importance to our local economy and sportsmen, the bill makes it easier for federal, state and tribal agencies to work together to safeguard fish and wildlife and their habitats. For clean energy advocates, it's a moment worth savoring as the bill progresses to its next phase.

The House is responding to a deeply felt view among most Americans that the nation needs better energy security, more jobs, and a comprehensive plan for promoting global stewardship. New legislation supporting onsite, distributed energy generation will help satisfy all three needs. Americans want bold action, and we now have the opportunity to move away from dirty fuels like oil and coal, rebuild our economy with clean energy jobs, and do what's necessary to preserve the planet for future generations.

Today's youth must become tomorrow's energy innovators if we are to succeed in creating our clean energy future. We must inspire them through our commitment of resources and our ability to change behavior by demonstrating conservation. We must create educational opportunities that attract young people to this important initiative. Programs like Project EverGREEN SchoolsR must be championed and funded for us to create the skilled workforce necessary to lead our clean energy future. We must start in the classroom, carry forward to our universities' research laboratories, and build on our successes in manufacturing to implement these new energy technologies and opportunities.

Douglas Russell

Escanaba