Council on Competitiveness Commends Energy Bill as a Critical Step Toward Regulatory Certainty

Washington, D.C. –Today, the Council on Competitiveness president & CEO, Deborah L. Wince-Smith, issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s unveiling of the American Power Act:

“This bill is a definitive step toward achieving the regulatory certainty that American businesses – both large and small -- desperately need in order to accelerate their investment and innovation in sustainable energy solutions of all kinds. The Council on Competitiveness has consistently called for this type of movement, and we are excited to see legislation that will boost U.S. energy competitiveness without placing a burden on our economic recovery.

"We believe consideration of this legislation should be accorded a strong sense of urgency. American businesses cannot remain on the sidelines and American citizens in the unemployment lines, while our global competitors capture the wealth and job creation of the clean energy economy.”

In late 2009, the Council released Drive, a comprehensive energy plan, which detailed a series of recommendations to achieve a robust, diverse and sustainable energy portfolio, while creating new markets, industries and American jobs. The provisions contained in this legislation that establish a price on carbon and set aggressive emissions targets, reflects a necessary commitment to incentivizing the exploration of the wide array of energy sources that will make America more secure and American businesses more competitive.

Visit http://www.compete.org to download the complete report.