<a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>memorializing the United States Congress to adopt clean energy legislation that <br/>
<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>strengthens the nation's energy and economic security, advances clean energy <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>development, creates jobs, addresses climate change, and preserves the authority of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>states to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>WHEREAS, the United States spends approximately $1,000,000,000 (one billion dollars) a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>day to import oil, a cost, according to the United States Department of Energy, that will reach <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>$8,500,000,000,000 (eight and one-half trillion dollars) by 2030; and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>WHEREAS, the United States' dependence on fossil fuels weakens the nation's economy, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>threatens national security, and harms the environment; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>WHEREAS, the effects of unchecked climate change threaten the nation's health and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>security, as well as our forests, waters, agricultural system, and other natural resources; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>WHEREAS, addressing climate change responsibly will lead to increased economic <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>opportunity, a healthier population, and improved national security; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>WHEREAS, states have demonstrated leadership by adopting clean energy technologies and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>addressing climate change, as shown by the 15 states that have adopted economy-wide greenhouse <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>gas reduction goals, the 13 states that have regulated emissions from automobile tailpipes, and the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>ten states that have set limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>WHEREAS, Minnesota, along with many other states, has adopted renewable energy <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>standards promoting wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass energy sources; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>WHEREAS, Minnesota's governor, together with the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>and Wisconsin, has signed the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>WHEREAS, while states have shown leadership in addressing climate change and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>promoting clean energy jobs, a national statutory framework for clean energy would provide a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>more certain energy market and spur innovation in the clean energy sector; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>WHEREAS, the United States House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>on June 26, 2009, on a bipartisan vote, and members of the United States Senate from both <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>political parties are currently considering and drafting a Senate clean energy jobs and climate <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>bill; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>WHEREAS, these bills will curb climate change, promote clean energy development <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>and use, reduce pollution, limit dependence on foreign energy sources, and create economic <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>opportunities; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>WHEREAS, the United States Energy Information Administration projects growth of up to <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>2,000,000 new clean energy jobs resulting from comprehensive clean energy legislation; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>WHEREAS, end-use energy efficiency can be the most cost-effective means to meet energy <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>demands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>WHEREAS, energy-efficiency efforts can dramatically reduce electricity bills for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>homeowners and businesses and create thousands of jobs; NOW, THEREFORE,<br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that the United States <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>Congress pass comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate legislation that:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>· creates a unified framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>· protects low and moderate income Americans from increased energy costs;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>· invests substantially in energy efficiency;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>· supports alternative sources of energy including but not limited to wind, solar, wave, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>hydroelectricity, and biofuels; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>· does not preempt state legislative efforts to control carbon emissions and to encourage <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>renewable energy development.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.<br/>