“Guice Offshore, a nationwide provider of offshore mini-supply vessels relied upon by clean energy developers from coast to coast, noted the importance of the first climate hearing of the 117th Congress on February 3, 2021.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), incoming Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, convened the hearing to examine global climate trends from energy-related sectors to consider where and how progress has been made in addressing climate change. In his opening remarks, Senator Manchin stressed the need to combat global climate challenge.
“Climate change is an issue critical not only to our states, and our nation, but to every country around the world. To address climate change, we must face it, head on, on a global scale and in every sector of our economy,” he said, citing the importance of achieving a common understanding of where the climate change issue stands today.
Senator Manchin highlighted the declining costs of many new energy technologies as a set of facts that make the case for supporting clean energy innovation.
“Although fossil fuel consumption is dropping on the U.S. power grid, the global trends in fossil fuel use should make us all recognize that fossil fuels aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, particularly in countries that are seeking to expand access to electricity and energy in order to address poverty.” Senator Manchin said. “By pursuing an all-of-the-above energy policy and a broad array of emissions-reducing technologies, we can simultaneously build our technology export opportunities and diplomatic relationships with those countries who choose to utilize their own fossil resources.”
Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, highlighted the need to take action to reduce emissions both domestically and globally by utilizing new and innovative technologies, an opportunity he believes that the United States is uniquely positioned to lead on.
“The U.S. can set the global agenda like no other country in the world. In galvanizing support for rapid clean energy transitions, it can innovate to provide real-world solutions to energy challenges across the developing world, mobilize public and private finance for sustainable energy, and ensure that we have the tools not only to meet today’s energy challenge but the foresight to tackle those of tomorrow. With its boundless human ingenuity, rich resources and track record of successful innovation and commercialization of new technologies, the United States is extremely well placed to lead the world along with other countries in the development and deployment of energy technologies that can help ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable supply of energy for decades to come,” Dr. Birol said.
The hearing featured witnesses from the International Energy Agency, Resources for the Future, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas-Austin, and the Manhattan Institute.
To read their testimony click here.
For a video replay of the hearing, click here.