Schakowsky, Barragán Introduce Legislation to Halt Fossil Fuel Expansion and Combat Climate Change

Full Text of Bill (PDF)

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Nanette Barragán (CA-44) reintroduced the Future Generations Protection Act. This bill would help ensure a rapid shift away from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy.

"After one of the hottest summers on record, the evidence is clear: decisive climate action is more important than ever. That's why I am proud to introduce the Future Generations Protection Act with Rep. Barragán, legislation that targets major polluters by banning greenhouse gas emissions for all new power plants, crude oil and natural gas exports, and hydraulic fracking," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. "Time is running out to prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Nearly 100,000 Americans die every year from air pollution Fossil fuels that endanger our health and safety have no place in a clean energy future. Our children do not deserve to suffer the consequences of our inaction, and this legislation is a step towards a more habitable planet for generations to come."

"I'm proud to join Rep. Schakowsky in reintroducing the Future Generations Protection Act, because the stakes for our planet and our communities are even higher today under the Trump Administration. While Trump continues his attacks on climate action and doubles down on fossil fuel expansion, our bill makes clear that America must move in the opposite direction - toward clean energy, healthier communities, and a livable planet. We cannot allow the climate rollbacks by the Trump Administration to erase the progress we've made. This bill is about protecting families today and safeguarding a livable future for generations to come," said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán.

The Future Generations Protection Act would:

• Ban greenhouse gas emissions from all new power plants.
• Stop hydraulic fracking.
• Ban crude oil and natural gas exports.
• Prohibit the Federal Energy Resources Commission from approving new liquified natural gas terminal siting or construction, unless doing so would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Future Generations Protection Act is supported by leading environmental organizations.

"We applaud the leadership of Rep Schakowsky in reintroducing the Future Generations Protection Act to limit dangerous, emissions-intensive fossil fuel exports that drive up domestic energy prices. This bill is especially important now in the midst of the Trump Administration's attacks on renewable, affordable energy," said Claire Dorner, Associate Director of Legislative and Administrative Advocacy at the Sierra Club. "Climate change is an existential threat fueled by the fossil fuel industry's incessant need to rake in massive profits while making our lives more expensive and unhealthy. This legislation is an essential step in the right direction towards challenging the industry's life-threatening greed and making room for both clean energy and our communities to thrive"

"In a moment when American leadership on the clean energy transition has been deliberately dismantled by the Trump administration, Rep. Schakowsky and the cosponsors of the Future Generations Protection Act are stepping up to deliver the leadership our country needs," said Camden Weber, climate and energy policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. "To secure a livable climate for our children and grandchildren, we must bring an end to carbon-emitting industries once and for all. This bill takes that critical step with justice at its core."

"Sadly, our country's environment and public health have been disregarded for the sake of corporate profits - especially those of polluting fossil fuel companies. Decades of foolish policy has left our country and our planet in a dangerous, unhealthy place. The Future Generations Protection Act is an important step in fighting back against the assault of the fossil fuel industry," said Drew Guillory, policy analyst at Food and Water Watch.

In addition to Reps. Schakowsky, and Barragán, this bill is cosponsored by Reps. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia Velazquez (NY-07).

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