Please support the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.  This bill was originated by Rep.'s Henry Waxman and Edward Markey.  The main point of the bill is to "create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy" (govtrack.us) by amending the "Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to establish a combined efficiency and renewable electricity standard that requires utilities to supply an increasing percentage of their demand from a combination of energy efficiency savings and renewable energy (6% in 2012, 9.5% in 2014, 13% in 2016, 16.5% in 2018, and 20% in 2021-2039)" (Congressional Research Service Summary).  It has passed in the House and is now moving on to the Senate.  A large number of environmental organizations support this bill, whereas only a few do not.  The nay-sayers claim it is too weak and should not be passed for that reason.  Whereas bills can always be amended, they cannot if they are not passed in the first place.  We need a starting place if anything is going to happen in the near future and this bill is it.  The longer we push things back, the more damage we will do.  Another claim is that there are supposed flaws in the bill's cost calculations.  From an economic and political standpoint, there will be some up-front costs, but the main goal of this bill is to better our environment and to create a starting point to do so as nothing like this has been tried before.  With a better environment and more efficient energy, these up-front costs will be more than covered in the near future.  It has also been said that unless China and India adopt similar policies, this bill will not make much of a world environmental difference, so let's lead the way and show them that it can be done.  Please support this petition for a better tomorrow and let's get these key players on the right side to push this bill through.

We the undersigned understand your concerns for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, however, it is our understanding that the benefits we will see in the future vastly outweigh the up-front costs.  Please take time to reconsider your opinion and take a second look at this bill keeping in mind the voices heard in this petition and the good that will come out of this.  With your help this bill can bring about a much needed change for the better, but without, the clock will keep ticking on our not-so-patient environment.  We appreciate you taking the time to read this letter.  Thank you.