Making the Case for Climate Action: Creating New Jobs and Catalyzing Economic Growth
At 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis will hold a remote hearing titled “Making the Case for Climate Action: Creating New Jobs and Catalyzing Economic Growth.” This hearing will take place remotely via Zoom video conferencing.
This hearing will explore the ways that climate action can drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs in the United States. It will also explore the economic development strategies needed to support workers and develop new energy projects, the federal policies required to leverage private capital for climate action, and the need to ensure that clean energy infrastructure benefits environmental justice communities and underserved populations.
"America is ready not only to rejoin the global effort to keep climate impacts in check but lead again. Why? Because we can create millions of jobs and economic opportunities across America." - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor
READ REP. CASTOR'S OPENING STATEMENT
The committee will receive testimony from:
Philip N. Bredesen, Executive Chairman of the Board, Clearloop Corporation; Former Governor, State of Tennessee. At Clearloop, Bredesen leads efforts to expand access to renewable energy in underserved American communities, through partnerships with companies seeking to offset their emissions and build new solar projects. As mayor of Nashville, Bredesen founded the Land Trust for Tennessee, which works to protect family farms, public parks, and forests in the state. And as governor, he led efforts to safeguard nearly 130,000 acres in the Cumberland Plateau.
Paul Lau, CEO and General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). A professional electrical engineer with over 30 years of utility experience, Lau manages one of the nation’s largest community-owned, not-for-profit electric providers, serving over 1.5 million residents. An expert in emerging energy technologies, Lau previously managed grid strategy and operations at SMUD.
Leticia Colon de Mejias, Founder, Energy Efficiencies Solutions; Policy Co-Chair, Building Performance Association. As the founder of a full-service energy conservation company, Colon de Mejias works to deploy cost-saving energy efficiency technologies for families across Connecticut. She has led weatherization efforts and efficiency upgrades for over 12,000 homes and 10 million square feet of multifamily properties in the state. She also works to foster environmental stewardship in young people, as co-founder and president of the non-profit Green Eco Warriors.
Read Colon de Mejias' testimony.
Heather Reams, Executive Director, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). A 25-year veteran in strategic communications and former congressional staffer, Reams leads a non-profit that works to expand conservative energy policies across the United States. She also serves on the board of directors for the American Conservative Coalition.
