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Climate Change

Climate change is real and it is in large part the result of human activity. It is the most serious threat to our environment, our health, and our way of life. We have taken some steps to reduce the risks of global warming, but much more can and should be done.

Scientists have predicted that dangerous and irreversible climate change will occur if the Earth's temperature rises more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Already, we are seeing the drastic effects of climate change, with melting ice caps, species migrating north, unprecedented heat waves, and violent storms increasing in number and intensity. Higher temperatures could flood major coastal cities around the world, contaminate freshwater sources, and subject all people to dangerous rays from the sun.

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I support legislation to reduce the pollution that causes global warming, create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, and enhance America's energy independence.

In August 2012, the Obama administration finalized regulations to double average fuel economy for American cars. The agreement with the auto industry, labor and environmental groups means that the average car will travel 54.5 miles on a single gallon of gas by the year 2025. The new standard will save the average car owner $8,000 over the life of their car. It will also allow the U.S. to reduce oil consumption by as much as 2.2 million barrels per day by 2025. That is more than half the oil we import from OPEC. I commend the President for using his authority to set such this ambitious yet achievable standard.