April 08, 2007

KGO-TV: "Political Climate Changing With Global Warming"

Mark Matthews of ABC affiliate KGO-TV (Channel 7) in San Francisco filed a report on Friday about the changing politics around global warming. The piece featured a brief interview with Congressman Jerry McNerney:

Freshman Congressman Jerry McNerney sits on the House Global Warming Committee.

Congressman Jerry McNerney: "There's a lot of consensus on this mark. It's not just a short flash in the pan."

McNerney is pleased Republicans and Democrats both want to work on limiting greenhouse gases.

Congressman Jerry McNerney: "If I have to play politics I will, but the truth is, I want something to happen, and I'll work with everyone that is interested in working before we turn to that method."

You can watch the full KGO report here at ABC7news.com.

March 13, 2007

The Independent: "McNerney Says Green Bill Would Bring Jobs to District"

This week's edition of The Independent, a weekly newspaper serving Pleasanton, Livermore and Sunol, highlights Congressman Jerry McNerney's support for the PROGRESS ("Program for Real Energy Security Success") Act -- a "bill that will help give the United States more energy independence in the coming years, and create as many as 800,000 jobs":

McNerney said that having worked for 20 years in the field of renewable energy, he knows that in several categories “we have not begun yet to realize the benefits that new energy technology can offer to this country.” One is job creation, where the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi estimates that 800,000 jobs could be created by 2010. The estimate is from the Tellus Institute, said (Rep. McNerney's Communications Director Andrew) Stone.

McNerney noted that job creation is important in his 11th Congressional District, especially in the San Joaquin County portion of it, where unemployment rates have been higher than the remainder of the district.

More renewable energy will also help to move the United States “toward ending our dependence on foreign oil from Middle East countries.” There would also be environmental security, by putting a crimp into global warming, he said.

To find out more about the five-point plan that forms the PROGRESS Act, check out the rest of The Independent's article here (March 8, 2007 edition).

March 12, 2007

McNerney named to House Global Warming Committee

Mcnerneywindmills

Congressman Jerry McNerney, who campaigned for Congress as a renewable energy expert deeply concerned about the climate crisis, has been appointed to the new House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

"Before my election to Congress, I spent more than 20 years of my professional career researching the benefits of and developing renewable energy sources.  I am excited to begin the work of this important committee, including the discussion of exploring and expanding new energy technologies.

"Moving in this direction will not only address the harmful effects of global warming and protect our environment, but will lead to economic stimulation and the creation of an entire spectrum of good-paying jobs here in the United States."

The Select Committee will hold hearings and investigations locally, nationally, and internationally to gather the information needed to protect our national security and the environment. It is charged with recommending to the Congress policies, strategies, technologies and other innovations to reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign sources of energy and prevent global warming.

“The members of the new Select Committee I am appointing today are outstanding for their creativity, diversity of experience, and knowledge of energy and global warming issues,” Speaker Pelosi said. “I have great faith in their ability to lead our efforts to confront these serious challenges. Global warming and energy independence are urgent issues that have profound implications for our nation’s economic competitiveness, national security, environmental quality and public health. The wide-ranging expertise of these members will be critical in finding viable solutions that stimulate our economy, promote jobs, and protect our environment.”

In addition to this new appointment, Congressman McNerney is also serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology, and Veterans' Affairs Committees.