Jerry McNerney's website

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.

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).

McNerney named to House Global Warming Committee

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.

McNerney introduces first bill

Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney is introducing his first bill -- the Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 -- along with Rep. Ellen Tauscher. The bill will authorize $125 million in funding for projects that increase usable water supply by encouraging innovation in water reclamation, reuse, and conservation.

“Right now, parts of California are poised to break records for the driest January ever,” Rep. McNerney said in a press release.  “Not only that, but increasing global temperatures will have an impact on the melting snowpack that provides water for much of California.  This bill authorizes funds to develop alternative sources of clean drinking water, as well as water for agricultural and industrial purposes.”

According to the press release, the Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 "amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize alternative water source projects.  Importantly, it will provide a necessary source of funding for ideas like aquifer storage and retrieval and membrane filtering technologies that have the potential to greatly increase our ability to use water more effectively and efficiently."

“I am excited about this act, which encourages innovation by authorizing funding for pilot projects to develop water supplies through conservation, management and reclamation,” Rep. McNerney said.

The Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 will be considered by the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment on Wednesday, January 31.

League of Conservation Voters endorses Jerry!

The League of Conservation Voters just endorsed Jerry McNerney, citing Jerry's commitment to investing in clean energy:

Washington, DC – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the independent political voice for the environment, today announced its endorsement of Jerry McNerney in the race for California's 11th District House seat, citing his support for investing in renewable energy and combatting global warming.

"LCV is thrilled to endorse Jerry McNerney because he understands the importance of putting this country on the right path towards energy independence," LCV President Gene Karpinski said. "McNerney believes in commonsense solutions to America's energy challenges that will help consumers while improving our environment, such as making new cars go further on a gallon of gas. He understands that by investing in clean, renewable energy, America can end our dangerous dependence on oil. We believe that Mr. McNerney will be an outstanding voice in Congress for the people of California's 11th Congressional District."

As an engineer and renewable energy specialist, Mr. McNerney brings considerable expertise on key issues to Congress.  As Congress makes important decisions that will affect the future of American energy policy for generations to come, Mr. McNerney is well prepared for the task. 

In addition to his commitment to renewable energy, Mr. McNerney supports strengthening important public health protections, such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.  He also clearly understands that global warming is a threat –- and supports legislation to reduce global warming emissions.

In response to LCV's endorsement, Jerry McNerney pointed out that Richard Pombo has received more than $400,000 from Big Oil. "My campaign is powered by people who care, people like the folks in the League of Conservation Voters," said McNerney. "I am proud to have their important endorsement."