Select Committee Accomplishments

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Held Over 75 Hearings and Briefings

The Select Committee held over 75 hearings and member briefings focused on developing solutions to end our dangerous addiction to foreign oil and create millions of new clean energy jobs here in America. The committee looked to domestic energy resources, new technologies and efficiency measures that cut waste and save consumers and small businesses money.

The Select Committee brought in hundreds of the world's leading energy and national security experts. Witnesses included military generals, energy CEOs, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, private sector investors, entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating the next generation of clean energy technology.

2010 is on track to be the hottest year on record, following the warmest decade on record. The Select Committee examined the science and the impacts of climate change, including record-breaking heat waves, deadly wildfires, droughts and floods.

Holding BP Accountable for the Worst Environmental Disaster in US History

The BP oil spill was the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Under Chairman Markey's leadership, the Select Committee forced BP to make the live video from the ocean floor available to the public, own up to the true oil flow rate number, and protected families, workers, business and marine life from the unprecedented use of chemical dispersants.

Legislation to Move America Forward

The Select Committee supported, promoted and helped pass several historic clean energy bills during the last two sessions of Congress, including:

1. Boosting Fuel Economy

The first increase in efficiency standards for cars and trucks in 32 years, helping save consumers money at the pump and launch the next generation of automotive manufacturing.

2. Largest Investment in Clean Energy in History

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act helped save the U.S. wind, solar and electric battery manufacturing sectors. The $90 billion investment in clean energy and efficiency programs created and saved almost two hundred thousand clean energy jobs, putting the United States in position to compete in the global clean energy race.

3. Waxman-Markey: Historic Clean Energy Jobs Legislation

The U.S. consumer spends half a billion dollars a day on foreign oil from dangerous regions–that is almost half our trade deficit. The Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy & Security Act (ACES) provides a plan to invest that money in American jobs and domestic energy resources. ACES includes a Renewable Electricity Standard (for wind, solar, geothermal & biomass sources), building efficiency standards, electric vehicle provisions and creates regional clean energy clusters to foster local job growth while making significant cuts in carbon pollution.

4. Home Star: Helping Homeowners Save Money

Over 168,000 jobs will be saved or created in the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors with Home Star. Making our homes more energy efficient could save hardworking families more than a billion dollars in 2011 alone, and $9.5 billion over the next decade. Efficiency upgrades cut energy waste and foreign oil imports. In addition, 90% of the retrofit products for Home Star - windows, doors, and insulation - are manufactured in the USA. 

5. Cash for Clunkers

The popular and successful Cash for Clunkers program helped sell nearly 700,000 vehicles, giving purchasers an average fuel economy increase of 9.2 MPG - a 58% improvement. Ford and General Motors announced production increases for both the third and fourth quarters of 2009 as a result of the demand generated by the program, while Honda said increased production at its U.S. plants in Ohio and Alabama.

International Climate Negotiations: Copenhagen

Thanks to Speaker Pelosi's leadership, the United States went to the Copenhagen Conference as a leader, not a laggard, in the global movement to cut carbon pollution. For the first time, US leadership brought China and other large emitters to the table with a framework to reduce carbon pollution. The Select Committee met with international leaders from China, India, Germany, and other nations engaged in the race for clean energy, both in Copenhagen and Washington D.C.

Defending Climate Science

After years of unprecedented attacks on climate scientists - funded by millions from the fossil fuel industry - the Select Committee brought the leading government and independent scientific experts to testify before Congress on climate facts - not fiction. The Select Committee has played an important role in defending the scientific community and educating the public about the reality of human caused climate change.

Connecting with the Public

Recognized for breaking new ground in constituent communication, the Select Committee website has won numerous awards including a Webby, a Golden Dot and a Golden Mouse.

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