Energy bill will help solve Houston’s jobless problem

(By U.S. REP. Shelia Jackson Lee via Houston Chronicle)

Our state is facing an unemployment rate of around 7.5 percent, the highest it has been in the past 16 years. While this is 2 percent less than the national average, Texas has not seen unemployment this high since 1993. Last month alone, Texas lost 40,600 jobs.

H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, was proposed to address the unemployment crisis in Texas and elsewhere in the country. Specifically, H.R. 2454 promises to create 1.7 million well-paying jobs. These jobs are derived from billions of dollars in green-energy-industry investment that is expected once H.R. 2454 becomes law.

Along with creating new jobs, H.R. 2454 offers other opportunities for the 18th District. Specifically, experts predict the efficiency standards in the bill will allow Houstonians and the rest of America to collectively save $29 billion over the next 10 years. Further, energy reform legislation promises to generate $190 billion over the next 15 years to fuel the creation of new businesses in the energy sector. Finally, H.R. 2454 aims to increase our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and preserve our planet by reducing the pollution that causes global warming.

As an energy capital of the world, it is critical for Houston to be at the forefront in the quest for clean, renewable energy. In addition to having energy companies as constituents, I have spent a career working in the energy sector, representing big and small oil companies alike. And while Houston is home to some of the largest petroleum companies in the world, our city is also the headquarters for leading solar- and wind-power firms.

Energy reform offers significant opportunities for Houston, but it also comes with a number of challenges, particularly for our city's petroleum community. Namely, the bill does not provide petroleum companies the same credits afforded to companies in other areas of the energy sector. As such, I was faced with a dilemma.

With this tough choice before me, I sought out advice from my constituents both inside and outside the petroleum industry. I was urged to barter my vote to negotiate with the House leadership to win key concessions to help my constituents. And that I did.

For petroleum workers, I secured legislation to assist those displaced by the bill to get the training and support they need to find new green jobs. For elderly homeowners and owners of homes in Houston's distressed neighborhoods, I've worked to ensure the bill does not devalue their homes' efficient-labeling program. With my input, owners of older homes do not have a mark against them for not employing the “green labeling” system common in most new construction. Moreover, I worked to include a provision in the energy bill that ensures that minority-owned and women-owned businesses can benefit from grants aimed at stimulating business development.

Despite these improvements to the energy reform bill, there is still more that needs to be done to improve the legislation before it becomes law. I believe that America should have a diversity of energy sources, including fossil fuels and wind, solar and hydropower sources. As such, I am working diligently with my congressional colleagues from around the country to ensure that the energy bill is improved to ensure that the domestic petroleum sector remains a valuable component of our nation's seamless energy policy.

In addition, I'm also looking to the current debate over health care reform to take a second bite at the apple to advance Houston's energy priorities. Specifically, I've proposed to incorporate into the health care bill a program to encourage construction of green community health centers. This idea was inspired by the fact that many of the places in our community that provide health care services to the sick are located in buildings that are themselves sick. As we expand health care to millions of Americans, I am working with my colleagues to ensure that health care is dispensed in healthy buildings that employ the latest in green building designs.

Over the next days and months, rest assured that my staff and I plan to work diligently to pass a health reform bill that improves care for seniors, workers and youth in Houston.

I invite you to contact my office with any questions and viewpoints you may have on health care or any other issue. And know that I'm on the job around the clock fighting for your interests, those of others in the 18th District, and for the rest of America.

Lee, a Democrat, represents the 18th U.S. Congressional District of Texas.

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