Volume 155, No. 62 covering the 1st Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE WORK OF THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4763-H4768 on April 27, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE WORK OF THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 6, 2009, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
General Leave
Ms. FUDGE. Good evening, Mr. Speaker.
I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert supplementary materials on the topic of my Special Order this evening.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus, the CBC, is proud to anchor this hour. Currently, the CBC is chaired by the Honorable Barbara Lee from the 9th Congressional District from California. My name is Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, representing the 11th Congressional District of Ohio.
CBC members are advocates for the human family, nationally and internationally, and have played a significant role as a local and regional activist. We continue to work diligently to be the conscience of the Congress. But understand, all politics are local. Therefore, we provide dedicated and focused service to citizens of the congressional districts we serve.
The vision of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens, continues to be the focal point for the legislative work and political activities of the Congressional Black Caucus today.
This week, the Caucus has joined to discuss one of the most important topics facing our country: the energy crisis. Rising global oil prices, concerns over energy security and the urgent need to address climate change has made energy a central concern of the 111th Congress and necessitated this message hour.
Mr. Speaker, I would now yield to our Chair, the honorable Ms. Lee from California, the gentlelady from California.
Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much.
First, let me thank Representative Fudge from Ohio once again for holding the Special Order today as Congress continues to work to break away from this business-as-usual with regards to our Nation's energy future. Thank you Congresswoman Fudge for selflessly each and every Monday night coming to the floor making sure that the voice of the Congressional Black Caucus is heard on each and every issue, day in and day out.
Let me also take a moment to thank the Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus's energy and environmental task force, Representatives G.K. Butterfield, Emanuel Cleaver, and Sheila Jackson-Lee. I want to thank them for their leadership and their tireless efforts to promote proper stewardship of our communities by protecting the environment.
It's so important that we continue to call for action on these issues surrounding global warming and the continued degradation of our environment that is perpetrated by our perilous--and I mean our perilous--and I think the whole country understands what we mean now when we say ``perilous dependence'' on fossil fuels.
As I have said time and time again, there is no way that we can deny the interconnection between our stewardship of the environment and the state of the economy, public health and our communities. The drastic acceleration of greenhouse gas emissions has often been concentrated in low-income and in minority communities putting these vulnerable populations on the front lines, mind you, of the fight against environmental degradation and global climate change. In fact, 71 percent of African Americans live in counties in violation of Federal air pollution standards--that's 71 percent of African Americans--and 78 percent live within 30 miles or within the toxic perimeter of a coal-
fired power plant. This is shameful.
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Day after day, the communities in my district, for example, face the severe consequences of pollution, urban sprawl, and environmental injustice which harshly affects people of color and low-income families. Sadly, this epidemic is hitting our children the hardest. Back home in my district, children growing up in west Oakland are seven times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than the average child in California.
None of us can afford to take this lightly. The health of our community and our neighbors affects us all. Simply put, climate change has and will continue to exacerbate the problems of poverty and inequality.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus Energy Task Force and myself recently wrote a letter to Chairman Waxman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee expressing support for comprehensive climate legislation and investments in the green economy. I won't read the letter in its entirety, Mr. Speaker, but I will insert the letter into the Record.
Basically, we talked about investments in the green economy, we talked about consumer protection, job leakage protection, adaptation, and of course we talked about why we thought this bill should move very quickly and move forward with these key elements in place. In this letter, we also stress the importance of shielding low-income households from price shocks to ensure that they do not bear a disproportionate burden as we transition to a low-carbon economy. We also called for the expansion of complimentary energy-efficient programs, and for regular and predictable funding for adaptation and mitigation assistance abroad.
By the year 2030, it is estimated that the cost of adapting to global climate change could amount to more than $100 billion annually, with up to $67 billion per year to meet the needs of the developing world alone.
Now, earlier this year, I introduced H. Con. Res. 98, a congressional resolution which recognizes the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address climate change. This resolution illustrates the disproportionate impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the world's most vulnerable populations. More importantly, it reflects the reality that any strategy to combat global warming and climate change will really need to include meaningful and equitable action on the international level.
The United States must provide support for adaptation and sustainable development abroad, as well as assistance to ensure affordable access to emerging clean technologies. It is time to think big, not small. And the challenge of addressing global climate change will require a truly comprehensive and transformative solution.
I am greatly encouraged by the actions already taken by the Obama administration to reengage with the international community in order to find solutions to this global challenge. And I also applaud the Environmental Protection Agency's recent finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, which finally recognizes the need to protect our communities and the global ecosystem by acting immediately to curb carbon pollution.
And, Congresswoman Fudge, as I was listening to the other side talk a little earlier, I couldn't help but wonder really where they were for the last 8 years because, had some of these actions and initiatives been put in place in the last 8 years, perhaps we would be much further ahead in our overall climate change efforts. And the public health, of course, would be, I think, much better protected. I think we heard a little bit of revisionist history tonight, so I just have to say that as I move forward.
As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, let me just say that we want to continue to work with the Obama administration--and all of my colleagues here in a bipartisan way--to help pass responsible and comprehensive climate change legislation that will spur the development of clean, renewable energy and the deployment of much needed energy-
efficient technologies.
Legislation which sets us on a path toward energy independence and a new low-carbon economy will help to maintain the United States' position as a leader in innovation and create hundreds of thousands of good-paying green jobs, and finally, help us get off of this addiction that we have to oil, especially break the stronghold that really has been crippling us in terms of our dependence on foreign oil.
One of the most exciting and inclusive solutions to many issues facing environmental health is the possibility afforded to us by promoting green jobs training and the growth of the green economy in America. And I am very pleased to say that the President, in his economic recovery package--which, of course, the other side I don't think mentioned tonight--included $100 million for green job training. We have to have people prepared for the new world, the new jobs that are going to be provided by this industry. And so $100 million would get us started on that path. But again, we have to look at this in a bipartisan way, and I hope that at some point we will.
To that end, I recently reintroduced legislation entitled, the Metro Economies Green Act, or the MEGA bill. This is H.R. 330. This establishes grant programs to encourage energy-efficient economic development and green job training and creation of green jobs. This legislation would also create a national institute to serve as a clearinghouse for best practices in order to facilitate the successful expansion of green jobs on a national scale.
As a representative of California's Ninth Congressional District, I would also just like to take a moment to recognize the role that California's East Bay is playing at the forefront of the green jobs industry and the green jobs movement. We have a number of innovative initiatives in my district in particular, including the East Bay Green Corridor Initiative, the Oakland Green Job Corps, the Joint BioEnergy Institute, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the Energy Biosciences Institute at Berkley.
I recently visited the Oakland Green Job Corps with the special advisor to President Obama on energy and climate change, Carol Browner--who is doing a fantastic job in this position--and also with Mayor Ron Dellums, who is providing tremendous leadership in this area. We visited the Oakland Green Job Corps to show the Obama administration really a groundbreaking example of green-collar jobs, workforce development, and what we are doing in Oakland in terms of preparing our young people for these jobs of the future. This is already up and running in Oakland, California.
The Oakland Green Job Corps is a partnership of community organizations, trade unions, private companies, and the city of Oakland. It provides Oakland's residents with the necessary training, support, and work experience to independently pursue these careers in the new energy economy.
One component of the Corps is called the Cypress Mandela Training Center. This provides invaluable pathways out of poverty, which is extremely important to recognize that these positions provide this new industry. Also, it provides vocational training for Bay-area men and women, especially those with barriers to employment.
Green has already become the fifth-largest industry in the Nation. And with the proper support and funding, we will continue to see an explosion of innovation and the expansion of economic opportunities surrounding the green movement.
There is no doubt in my mind that a greener future will lead to a more prosperous future for our communities, the Nation, and the world, but it must be a movement that is inclusive of all and that leaves no community behind. So I urge my colleagues, on a bipartisan basis, to act swiftly to move America beyond its dependence on oil, address the climate crisis, and really help protect America's natural resources for our children's future. And as a person of faith, I just must say that we must preserve and we must protect God's creation, which is our planet.
Thank you, Congresswoman Fudge.
Congressional Black Caucus of the 111th United States
Congress,
Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC, April 9, 2009.Hon. Henry Waxman,Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn
House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Waxman, As you draft and consider comprehensive energy legislation to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and to curb greenhouse gas emissions, we the undersigned Members of the Congressional Black Caucus
(CBC) respectfully request your consideration of the issues discussed in this letter.
Climate change represents a tangible threat to the communities we represent as well as the United States as a whole and we, therefore, encourage and support your efforts to address this critical issue. We support science-based legislation to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The United States must be a leader on this global issue, and this target is consistent with the proposals of the Obama Administration.
Investment in the Green Economy
Comprehensive energy legislation will revolutionize our economy and energy infrastructure, spurring us to become more innovative and efficient. The growing ``Green Economy'' presents an opportunity to create large numbers of quality green-collar jobs for American workers, to grow emerging industries, and to improve the health of low- and middle-income Americans. Any public investment in the Green Economy should include serious efforts to train, employ and provide public service opportunities that lead to full-time employment in these industries. This is a significant opportunity to make cost-effective public and private investments to rebuild and retrofit our nation. We recommend the following:
Develop a career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle income communities, through training, job readiness and entrepreneurship programs, to ensure that people who most need work are prepared for the family-sustaining jobs and careers in energy efficiency and energy service industries. Ensuring local hiring practices will be critical to engaging these distressed communities.
Development of Green Energy Centers of Excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to research and develop new green technologies as well as train implementers in the deployment of green innovation. HBCUs maintain unique relationships with communities of color, and we should use their expertise to educate these communities on the opportunities in green industries and the techniques needed to succeed.
Ensure local and national certification standards for technical jobs to ensure appropriate levels of expertise.
Apply large-scale energy-saving measures to the nation's building stock, which will create hundreds of thousands of green-collar jobs while dramatically reducing American's energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Consumer Protection
A cap-and-trade system will increase the cost of energy derived from high-polluting production processes for all households. Low- and middle-income households spend a greater share of their budget on energy costs than higher income households. To help prevent climate change policy from being unfairly burdensome on these households, we recommend:
Measures to offset the disproportionate impact of increased energy costs that could take the form of a climate rebate equal to the loss in purchasing power extended to the lowest quintile, the second quintile and partially extended to the third quintile. For households that file no tax returns, the rebate could be administered through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. For all others, the rebate could be extended through a higher Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or alternative tax mechanisms that make the connection with this increased cost.
Further investments in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.
Prevent the creation of ``hot spots'' and ``outsourcing'' to communities of color and low-income or otherwise vulnerable communities domestically and abroad.
Job Leakage Protection
Many manufacturing jobs in this country produce goods that compete in global markets. Under a domestic cap-and-trade program, these industries will face pressure from increased costs due to direct regulation of their emissions as well as higher energy costs.
If this is not addressed, these industries, as well as the workers and communities they support, will be forced to close or move operations to countries without similar regulations, producing the leakage of American jobs and emissions to foreign countries.
To protect the jobs of workers in the energy-intensive trade-exposed industries, the CBC recommends:
The United States should pursue international agreements on greenhouse gas reductions. Engaging industrialized nations in an agreement to combat this truly global problem will more effectively meet emissions reductions goals as well as
``level the playing field'' for American workers and business.
Until an international agreement can be achieved, climate legislation should include measures to protect against unintended disadvantages brought about as a result of global trading partners acting outside of a domestic or international greenhouse gas reductions scheme.
Provide assistance to ease and facilitate the transition of workers and communities dependent upon high emitting industries to the emerging low-carbon economy.
Adaptation
Regardless of our success in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, we can be certain that there will be ramifications as a result of global climate change. These may include rising sea levels, increased weather disasters, changes in precipitation, loss of biodiversity and the increased spread and range of tropical diseases. This will affect rural, urban and island communities domestically and abroad, with low-income populations being at greatest risk. Providing appropriate adaptation measures for these eventualities is imperative and this legislation should insure regular and predictable funding. We recommend:
An ecosystem-based adaptation both domestically and internationally, investing in conservation techniques to preserve wetlands, tropical forestland and critical ecosystems such as coral reefs and their relevant fisheries. Thriving ecosystems produce healthy communities, and promote sustainability.
Agricultural adaptation for areas experiencing shifting weather patterns. Subsistence farmers should be provided aid to manage temperature change and its effect on their growing season.
Medical adaptation to prepare and prevent the spread of disease. As temperatures rise, tropical-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever may proliferate in previously unaffected areas. Preventing and addressing this through vaccinations, improved sanitation measures, and other burgeoning technology should be a priority in the legislation.
It is with the utmost respect and appreciation for your efforts that we present these policy recommendations to you. We view these principles as essential to any climate change proposal. Please let us know how the Committee plans to incorporate these principles into the upcoming climate change legislation and how we can work with you to pass this critical legislation.
Sincerely,
Barbara Lee, CBC Chairwoman; Emanuel Cleaver, CBC Energy
Taskforce Member; Sheila Jackson Lee, CBC Energy
Taskforce Member; Melvin L. Watt, CBC Energy Taskforce
Member; Alcee L. Hastings, CBC Energy Taskforce Member;
Sanford Bishop, CBC Energy Taskforce Member; Bobby
Rush, CBC Energy Taskforce Member; C Butterfield, CBC
Energy Taskforce Member; Donna M. Christensen, CBC
Energy Taskforce Member.
Ms. FUDGE. Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, that our chairwoman has been so very supportive of this hour and of me continuing to be the anchor. But I also want to say to our chairwoman that I appreciate your kind of setting the record straight because I know that one of the things that our President talked about is, his priorities were education, health care, and energy. And he didn't say any of it would happen overnight, contrary to what our colleagues across the aisle said, that they thought it was going to happen right away. As a matter of fact, the President said it would take time. So I do thank you for helping me set the record straight, and I thank you for being here this evening. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Speaker, reliable predictions indicate that by the year 2050, the world's population will have nearly doubled from its present level. It will rise from around 6 billion to about 10 billion people. Most of this growth and much of the increase in energy consumption will occur in developing countries. Future increases in energy demand will exert even greater pressure on our finite reserves. If we are largely dependent on one fuel source, we risk price rises and supply disruptions. It is imperative for us to use our energy more efficiently and develop an energy supply that is both sustainable and diverse in order to improve our quality of life and protect our environment.
As a country, we can no longer depend on the cheap conception of gas and other finite resources. It is in the interest of our national security to become independent from our foreign sources of oil in politically unstable regions of the world. If we continue to invest in other finite resources, what is to prevent those costs from skyrocketing when the supply runs low? If we don't invest in renewable technologies now, we could be on the brink of a catastrophe, not to mention the health and environmental cost.
The best way to lower energy costs is to make homes, buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure more energy efficient. In the process, we create jobs. Doing nothing to curb carbon pollution means rising surface temperatures, rising sea levels, adverse health effects, and displaced populations. The longer we delay, the higher the cost.
As global warming becomes more threatening, addressing the future of America's environment becomes increasingly urgent. According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature could rise by an additional 2.5 to 10.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. If the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere doubles as expected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged that without emission control policies, the amount of carbon monoxide in the air will far exceed today's levels with a 30 to 150 percent increase.
According to an assessment by the World Health Organization of possible health impacts of climate change, more than 150,000 deaths may have been caused in the year 2000 alone by global warming as a result of disease, malnutrition, and loss of shelter. This negative impact on world health will only increase as the climate changes.
Experts predict that one-fourth of the Earth's species will be headed for extinction by 2050 if the warming trend continues at its current rate. More than $100 billion worth of homes, businesses, and public facilities are at risk from extreme coastal storms if sea levels rise as anticipated. When we invest in renewable energies, we are not only creating jobs and strengthening our economic prospects for the future, we are protecting our increasingly more fragile environment as well.
The Congressional Black Caucus recommends that we support science-
based legislation to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The United States must be a leader on this global issue, and this target is consistent with the proposals of the Obama administration.
Any public investment in the green economy should include serious efforts to train, employ and provide public service opportunities that lead to full-time employment in these industries. We must develop a career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle-income communities, through training, job readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to ensure that people who most need work are prepared for the family-
sustaining jobs and careers in energy efficiency and energy service industries.
When we talk about consumer protection, we have heard a lot about cap-and-trade. And sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree with all of the things that are out there, but let me just say two things about cap-and-trade. A cap-and-trade system must be fair and must not be to the detriment of manufacturers and businesses. A cap-and-trade system will increase the cost of energy derived from high-polluting production processes for all households. Low- and middle-income households spend a greater share of their budget on energy costs than higher income households. To help prevent climate change policies from being unfairly burdensome on these households, we must remember to promote and support vital projects such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, better known as LIHEAP.
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The LIHEAP program helps to pay the winter heating bills or summer cooling bills of low-income and elderly people. During extreme weather conditions, people living in poverty and low-income elderly should not have to choose between fuel to heat or cool their homes and buying food for themselves or their families. Two-thirds of the families receiving LIHEAP assistance have incomes of less than $8,000 a year, Mr. Speaker,
$8,000. This program clearly helps the people who need help the most.
The Congressional Black Caucus recommends that we provide measures to offset the disproportionate impact of increased energy costs that could take the form of a climate rebate equal to the loss in purchasing power extended to the lowest quintile, the second quintile, and partially extend it to the third quintile. For households that file no tax returns, the rebate could be administered through the Electronic Benefit Transfer System. For all others the rebate could be extended through a higher earned income tax credit or alternative tax and make the connection with this increased cost.
In my home State of Ohio, Mr. Speaker, Ohio has lost more than 213,000 manufacturing jobs since the year 2000. In my neighboring State of Michigan, the figure is almost 497,000 jobs lost. Its industrial sector ranks fourth for energy consumption after Texas, Louisiana, and California. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, manufacturing is poised to grow in a low-carbon economy because economic opportunities exist within the supply chain that provide parts and labor for these industries. States that stand to benefit most from jobs in these sectors include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California.
Ohio receives about 86 percent of its electricity from coal. We also have some energy-intensive industries in Ohio such as paper, plastics, and fertilizer that rely upon abundant and economically viable sources of energy to help them keep their prices competitive, which is especially important during this troubling economic time. A cap-and-
trade program will likely gradually raise electricity rates over time for consumers and especially manufacturers like those in northeast Ohio. When developing legislation, it is critical for us to work to minimize the effect and to sustain the competitiveness of our crucial industries and not only provide my district with jobs but also provide the world with products.
Mr. Speaker, the President had the opportunity to visit my district the day before he was inaugurated. He came to the city of Bedford Heights. He visited a community in my congressional district. He came to visit the Ohio wind energy component manufacturer Cardinal Fasteners. President Obama pointed to Cardinal Fasteners as an example of how a company struggling through tough economic times can reinvent itself and recover by recognizing opportunities in the renewable energy market. Rather than falling victim to the slumping economy, Cardinal has become the Nation's largest manufacturer of bolts, screws, and double-ended studs used in wind towers. Each wind tower installed requires approximately 1,000 products made by Cardinal. As a result, the company now earns half of its revenue selling products that support wind energy products. Driven by sales of wind turbine projects, Cardinal projects will add an additional 40 or more individuals to its workforce in 2009, increasing its total to more than 100 employees.
I tell you this story because it tells you of the potential that Ohio has to be an oasis of wind energy. Ohio has made enormous strides to take advantage of its wind potential and create good green energy jobs throughout the State. In fact, there are over 220 businesses in Ohio that are involved in the development and manufacturing of wind energy and over 440 companies involved in the renewable energy sector. The Ohio Department of Development estimates that there are more than 1,000 Ohio businesses that already have the capacity to become part of the wind turbine supply chain.
Comprehensive energy legislation will revolutionize our economy and energy infrastructure, spurring us to become more innovative and efficient. The growing green economy presents an opportunity to create large numbers of quality green collar jobs for American workers, to grow emerging industries, and to improve the health of low- and middle-
income Americans. Any public investment in the green economy should include serious efforts to train, employ, and provide public service opportunities that lead to full-time employment in these industries. We must assure that we train and prepare our workforce for green jobs and technology. An item that I truly support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the nearly $3 billion in workforce investment formula grants and $750 million for green and health care training. Lori Atkins, the deputy director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Workforce Development, informs me that to make sure that my community is ready for all jobs that are coming our way, training dollars they will receive will go to approved advisers for in-demand occupations, including green energy. My community will stand ready for this significant opportunity to make cost-effective public and private investments to rebuild and retrofit our Nation. The CBC recommends the following:
We must develop a career pipeline, particularly in low- and middle-
income communities, through training, job readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to ensure that people who most need work are prepared for the family-sustaining jobs and careers in energy efficiency and energy services industries. Ensuring local hiring practices will be critical to engaging these distressed communities. It is also extremely important that we do not leave minority- and women-
owned businesses behind in this new industry. Therefore, we must be assured that they have their place at the proverbial table. This will also ensure that the work is spread to all citizens.
We must as well develop Green Energy Centers of Excellence at predominantly black institutions to research and develop new green technologies as well as train implementers in the development of green innovation. These institutions maintain unique relationships with communities of color, and we should use their expertise to educate these communities on the opportunities in green industries and the techniques needed to succeed.
We must ensure local and national certification standards for technical jobs to ensure appropriate levels of expertise. We must also apply large-scale energy-saving measures to the Nation's building stock, which will create hundreds of thousands of green collar jobs while dramatically reducing America's energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
It is important for us to remember that the only way we can achieve our goals as a country is to become more energy independent, and that can only happen if we have a skilled workforce proficient in science, technology, engineering, and math. I would like to briefly discuss and highlight the MC Squared School in my district, which is the first STEM facility in our Nation that is located in a corporate complex. The facility provides an environment fostering intellectual growth and stimulating curriculum geared toward science, technology, engineering, and math. The students are mentored by GE employees from a broad array of disciplines ranging from research, technology, and engineering to marketing, finance, global product management, and human resources. Most importantly, the teachers and staff are exceptional. It was no small feat to make the MC Squared STEM School a success. It took the hard work, ingenuity, and commitment of local civic and business organizations who came together and contributed nearly $3 million for the classroom renovations on the Nela Park campus in order to bring this idea to fruition. It also took the vision of the CEO of the Cleveland Public Schools, Dr. Eugene Sanders.
The STEALTH team of the MC Squared School meets once a week after school and is headed up by a science teacher who was the vice president of Johnson Controls for 26 years. They have created an apparatus called
``the thing,'' which collects sunlight and stores it in batteries which can be used to charge your cell phone, laptop, and any daily household item. They have refined it to do something that works effectively. Additionally, the STEALTH group has implemented green renovations to General Electric solar panels on the roof of its own facility.
The STEM School recently held a conference focusing on renewable energy at the Great Lakes Science Center in my district where many students came and were responsible for researching a specific topic. The STEM School then invited other children from the community to conduct a town hall discussion on energy issues.
The STEM School works in conjunction with the Washington Park Greenhouse, which is connected to the Cleveland Public School District through South High School. The STEM School students recently made some recommendations to increase energy efficiency of the greenhouse. General Electric staff worked with them hand in hand while using the suggestions of the students to renovate the greenhouse. The students then took measurements of humidity, temperature, and other levels before and after and compared the result to measure the progress of their work. The STEM students are currently working on developing automated watering systems for the greenhouse pumps to conserve energy and water for the plants. They are in the process of creating designs and testing to see which one works best.
I believe that the MC Squared STEM School has the ability to be a catalyst for change across our Nation. Children who are taught by educators with proper certification and mentored by professionals are more likely to succeed and prosper in an increasingly technologically advanced society. It is for this reason I plan to offer an amendment to the STEM Coordination Act of 2009 in the Committee of Science and Technology, which I am a member, with the intent to increase the members of certified teachers in low-performing areas of our country. Increasing the number of qualified teachers in our country in science and math will only help our Nation spur the renewable energy revolution.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, for allowing this important discussion on energy during our message hour. We must work to strengthen all facets of our society when discussing an unfolding energy revolution in the 111th Congress. We have a great opportunity to protect our environment and strengthen our economic interest through the creation of additional sources of energy such as biofuel, wind, and solar.
Mr. Speaker, I yield again to our Chair, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE of California. Thank you very much for yielding.
And let me just thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for that very comprehensive, succinct, and very clear statement. I think it summarizes many of the issues that the Congressional Black Caucus believes are important as we move forward with our comprehensive energy legislation.
And I must say you highlighted the involvement of minority- and women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in this effort, also the role of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The role of the Congressional Black Caucus, as many know, is to make sure that no one is left behind, that no community is left behind. And the Congressional Black Caucus historically has been and continues to be the conscience of the Congress.
So, Congresswoman Fudge, I'm really pleased that you have laid out for us tonight what the Congressional Black Caucus sees as important in this energy legislation as we communicate it to our great chairman, who is doing a fantastic job, I must say, Chairman Henry Waxman. And we have communicated this to him, and we are very confident that as this energy legislation moves forward that the Congressional Black Caucus's views and input and ideas to expand this legislation to make sure it's comprehensive and that it includes all communities in our country will be part of that.
Thank you for your leadership tonight. That was a very wonderful presentation, Congresswoman Fudge. The Congressional Black Caucus is very proud of you.
Ms. FUDGE. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
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