Senator Coons urges Leader Reid to schedule Senate vote to reauthorize Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) today urging for a full Senate vote on S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011 (VAWA). The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines, 10-8, to advance the current reauthorization out of committee last month.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault are evils that thrive in the darkness, which is why it is so important that public awareness and victims’ services programs supported by VAWA have led to a 51% increase in reporting by women and a 37% increase in reporting by men,” the Senator said in the letter.  “VAWA programs provide critical aid and support to victims and their families, as well as resources and training for the law enforcement and advocate communities.  Thanks in large part to VAWA, we have made great inroads in the fight to combat these crimes—the rate of intimate partner violence against women has declined by 53% and there has been a similar decline in violence against men.  Intimate partner violence resulting in death has decreased by 29%.”

“The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2011 builds upon these past successes and, by applying the lessons that we have learned over the past 18 years, will ensure that VAWA continues as an even more effective tool to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.  S. 1925 streamlines duplicative programs, improves tools for law enforcement, and, for the first time, specifies that assistance must be provided on a non-discriminatory basis.  Further, S. 1925 does all of this in a fiscally-responsible manner, reducing authorization levels by nearly 20%.”

Senator Coons, a cosponsor of the bill, convened a roundtable discussion in New Castle on February 21 to discuss the past, present and future of VAWA. Click here to learn more about the meeting:

http://bit.ly/y2UDD5. Senator Coons spoke about the bill on the Senate floor on February 2. Click here to watch or read it: http://bit.ly/zIYpag.

The text of the letter follows:

March 13, 2012

The Honorable Harry Reid

Senate Majority Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Leader Reid:

I write to thank you for your continued support for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and for your longstanding commitment to protecting those who need our help.  While I recognize the challenge of juggling the many important issues competing for floor time, I am also writing to ask for your help in bringing S. 1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011, to the floor without delay. 

Since 1994, the VAWA has been an integral component of efforts to combat domestic violence and sexual assault in Delaware and throughout our nation.  Domestic violence and sexual assault are evils that thrive in the darkness, which is why it is so important that public awareness and victims’ services programs supported by VAWA have led to a 51% increase in reporting by women and a 37% increase in reporting by men.  VAWA programs provide critical aid and support to victims and their families, as well as resources and training for the law enforcement and advocate communities.  Thanks in large part to VAWA, we have made great inroads in the fight to combat these crimes—the rate of intimate partner violence against women has declined by 53% and there has been a similar decline in violence against men.  Intimate partner violence resulting in death has decreased by 29%. 

In Delaware, like many states, VAWA support is absolutely essential to the network of violence prevention, victim support, and offender prosecution efforts that have matured or come into existence there over the past 18 years.  As County Executive in New Castle County, I saw the value of these services firsthand. 

To gain a better understanding of what VAWA and its reauthorization means statewide, I recently hosted a roundtable discussion with a dozen representatives of Delaware’s state, county and local law enforcement agencies, community advocates, and non-profit organizations, to discuss the law. Participants agreed that VAWA has helped to foster an interwoven community of law enforcement and advocates who work together throughout the state to aid families and reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.  For instance, equipment purchased with funds help police better document injuries to provide stronger evidence for prosecutors.  VAWA-funded programs also monitor and enforce compliance with post-conviction treatment requirements for offenders. 

VAWA funds have enabled Delaware’s law enforcement to attend a domestic violence training conference, at which they learned about cutting-edge offender risk assessment techniques.  The lessons learned at that conference culminated in the passage of a new statewide anti-strangulation law and helped make Delaware a leader in progressive domestic violence legislation.

While VAWA has accomplished much, reauthorization is necessary to consolidate these gains and to make yet more progress.  If we do not reauthorize VAWA, the harms will fall most severely upon our rural communities and some of our most at-risk citizens. In the City of Lewes, that 13-member police department lacks the resources to offer comprehensive in-house domestic violence training.  Lewes depends on VAWA funding to bring in outside speakers to train officers.  Likewise, the Sexual Assault Network of Delaware depends on VAWA funding to pay the salary of its one full-time counselor for Sussex County, Delaware—a single counselor for a county of nearly 200,000 people.  VAWA funding in Delaware supports services that, during one day in 2011, provided 68 domestic violence victims with emergency refuge, provided counseling and other non-residential services to 46 victims, and answered 20 calls to the domestic violence hotline.

The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2011 builds upon these past successes and, by applying the lessons that we have learned over the past 18 years, will ensure that VAWA continues as an even more effective tool to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.  S. 1925 streamlines duplicative programs, improves tools for law enforcement, and, for the first time, specifies that assistance must be provided on a non-discriminatory basis.  Further, S. 1925 does all of this in a fiscally responsible manner, reducing authorization levels by nearly 20%.

None of this will be possible, however, if we allow partisan obstructionism to prevent the Senate’s consideration of S. 1925.  VAWA always has been bipartisan legislation and, even in today’s partisan times, S. 1925 enjoys the support of at least five Republican Senators.  If it is brought to the floor, I pledge myself to helping in whatever ways that I can to continue to build the coalition in support of VAWA to ensure its passage.

                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                Christopher A. Coons

                                                                                United States Senator

Senator Coons marks one year anniversary of Japanese earthquake and tsunami

Wilmington, Del. — Senator Chris Coons released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated part of Japan’s coast, including Delaware’s sister state of Miyagi:

“One year ago, Japan was hit by a massive earthquake that triggered a tsunami and devastated a large part of Japan’s coast in and around the Miyagi Prefecture.  More than 15,800 people died and almost 4,000 remain classified as missing.

Watching the news of March 11, 2011 unfold was especially difficult because Miyagi and Delaware are sister states.  We have a close relationship that spans nearly 20 years.  Some of us knew residents of Soma, Sendai, and other parts of Japan from student exchange opportunities and business-to-business visits that Delaware and Miyagi have organized over the years.  Delawareans were generous and quick to respond, raising nearly $100,000 for children newly orphaned by the disaster. 

Today, I stand with the people of Miyagi and the other devastated areas to mourn and remember those we lost.  My spirits are lifted by the signs of recovery we already see, including the clean fields that were once strewn with debris and cars.  What they have accomplished in one year is astounding. Rebuilding is hard work, and recovery for those who lost family, friends, and neighbors will take time.  I will continue to find ways to help our friends in Miyagi recover. On this day of remembrance, my thoughts and prayers are with Miyagi.”

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Senator Coons applauds President Obama’s support for electric vehicles

WASHINGTON – With many Delawareans concerned about the rapid rise in gas prices, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today applauded President Obama’s announcement of a strategy for helping consumers and businesses purchase advanced electric cars and trucks. The plan mirrors legislation Senator Coons cosponsored last year, the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2011, which would help state, local, and tribal governments create deployment programs for plug-in electric drive vehicles in their communities.

“Rising gas prices can have a huge impact on Delaware families struggling to make ends meet, so we have to find solutions that reduce our dependence on the volatile global oil market and focus on clean, affordable alternative energy solutions,” Senator Coons said. “Expanding the tax credit for advanced vehicles, to help families and businesses invest in electric vehicles is a step in the right direction for American manufacturing and our energy future.”

Speaking in North Carolina today, President Obama announced a series of moves to spur deployment of clean, advanced vehicles, including:

• Launching a “Race to the Top” challenge for communities to encourage advanced vehicle adoption
• Expanding current tax credits for electric vehicles to make them more affordable
• Creating a new tax incentive to accelerate the deployment of alternative-fuel trucks
• Launching ‘EV Everywhere’, a clean energy grand challenge to make electric-powered vehicles as affordable and convenient as gasoline-powered vehicles for the average American family within a decade

The plan mirrors S. 948, the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2011, which was introduced last June to reduce dependence on foreign oil, support cleaner air, and lower transportation costs for Americans. The legislation was multi-faceted, including:

• Creating a competitive grant program for communities to support local deployment and infrastructure
• Providing technical assistance to state and local governments seeking to deploy plug-in electric vehicle fleets
• Making it easier for federal agencies to purchase electric vehicles for fleet use
• Creating a competitive grant program for private companies that maintain large vehicle fleets to upgrade their fleets to electric vehicles
• Supporting breakthrough battery research to make electric vehicle batteries more affordable and last longer

“Investing in alternative technologies in the transportation sector is an investment in our country’s economic future,” Senator Coons said. “The Promoting Electric Vehicles Act will not only make our country more secure by helping to end our addiction to foreign oil, but it will also improve our economy by creating jobs. Delaware has a long history at the forefront of alternative energy and innovation, and this bill will help our state become the launching pad for the emerging electric vehicle sector.”

Two-thirds of all oil is burned in vehicles, so the rapid deployment of electric vehicles would have a major impact on America’s energy security. Electrifying half our cars and trucks within 20 years would reduce our dependence on oil by about a third, from about 20 million to about 13 million barrels a day.

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Statement from Senator Coons on the passing of Rev. Maurice Moyer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement Tuesday on the passing of Wilmington civil rights leader, the Rev. Maurice J. Moyer.

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, the Rev. Maurice Moyer. Rev. Moyer was an important part of our community for generations — an accomplished, centered leader on equality, housing, and peace. Like it did so many Delawareans, Rev. Moyer’s passion for justice inspired me. He was a true icon — a good, decent, and kind man who led with a humility that stood in sharp contrast with the high esteem with which I, and the community, held him. We will miss him.”

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Delaware’s Congressional Delegation commends Obama Administration’s efforts to protect U.S. poultry industry and ensure fair trade policies with India

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney (all D-Del.) commended the Obama Administration’s recent action to protect the Delmarva and U.S. poultry industries and take steps to ensure that U.S. agriculture products, including poultry meat and chicken eggs, have fair access to India’s markets. Today, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it will request consultations with India, which is the first step in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process, for India’s prohibition on U.S. agriculture products, including poultry. Late last year, Sens. Carper and Coons, together with a bipartisan group of 19 other Senators, sent a letter to USTR Ambassador Ron Kirk urging the Administration to resolve longstanding, non-scientifically based policies during Ambassador Kirk’s upcoming meeting with India’s senior government leaders. Rep. Carney led a similar bipartisan letter, signed by 46 other members, in the House of Representatives.

Since at least February of 2007, India has formally banned imports of various agricultural products from the United States, supposedly to prevent outbreaks of avian influenza in India.  India instituted this ban even though the United States has not had an outbreak of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (“HPAI”) since 2004. India’s trade policies have not conformed to the scientifically based World Organization for Animal Health standards on the viral disease avian influenza (AI). American poultry producers adhere to these globally recognized standards of food production.

“The Obama Administration did the right thing today to help protect American agriculture jobs and the livelihoods of American growers – including poultry producers — from unfair restrictions imposed by India on U.S. agriculture imports,” Senator Carper said. “These unfair restrictions harm U.S. poultry producers, including the chicken producers in Delaware who export hundreds of millions of dollars in poultry products to countries like India every year. The United States has acted in good faith and followed the rules by implementing measures to ensure that the products we export are safe and healthy to consume. India’s obstruction to fair foreign access to its markets is unacceptable.  I hope that the actions taken today by the Obama Administration will encourage India to do the right thing, and ensure that American poultry producers and workers get a fair shake.”  

“It’s a point of pride that Delaware has long been a global leader in the production of poultry products that adhere to the most rigorous and comprehensive of safety measures,” Senator Coons said. “That’s why it’s been so frustrating that, like all American poultry, our products have been blocked from the growing Indian market. I applaud the steps taken by the Obama Administration today and hope that these negotiations will result in India ending its unjust embargo of American poultry. Delaware’s poultry community is one of the largest employers in the state, providing jobs for thousands of Delawareans and generating billions of dollars for our economy. We must remain vigilant in the fight against obstruction of access to foreign markets. I will continue to work with my colleagues to end unfair business practices, both nationally and globally, that impede the economic growth of Delaware’s agricultural sector. “

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for Delaware’s poultry industry,” said Representative  Carney said. “By banning U.S. poultry without supporting scientific evidence, India is taking advantage of the United States and not playing by the rules established by the World Trade Organization. I’m glad that the Obama Administration is seeking to fix this problem, and I hope that American poultry farmers will be able to export their high-quality products to India in the near future.”

According to the USTR, consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process and parties are encouraged to agree to a solution at this stage.  If the matter is not resolved through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel.

The WTO’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (“SPS Agreement”) explicitly recognizes that WTO Members have the right to adopt regulations to protect human, animal, or plant life or health.  However, the SPS Agreement also requires WTO Members to take certain steps to ensure that such regulations are not merely a cover for protectionism.  India appears to have acted inconsistently with its WTO obligations in this case.  In particular, India’s ban does not appear to be supported by scientific evidence or a valid risk assessment.

Over the last few years, the United States has repeatedly asked India to justify its claim that a ban on products from the United States is necessary.  To date, India has not provided valid, scientifically-based justification for the import restrictions.  

The National Chicken Council estimates that U.S. poultry exports to India could exceed $300 million annually if appropriate, fair market access was provided in accordance with India’s obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization.

According to a study released earlier this year by the University of Delaware, poultry production and processing accounts for the largest share of Delaware’s $8 billion agriculture economy, at $3.2 billion. Last year, Delaware exported $111.5 million worth of chicken and chicken products across the globe. The industry is a leading employer in Delaware, supporting more than 13,000 jobs in Kent and Sussex County. 

Earlier this week, the Delegation authored an op-ed about its commitment to preserving Delmarva as a leading region for the U.S. poultry industry. Read the piece here.  

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Statements of Senators Coons and Isakson on passing of Congressman Donald Payne

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), chair and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Representative Donald Payne (D-N.J.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.

From Senator Coons:

“In addition to being a wonderful public servant for his constituents, Congressman Payne was perhaps Congress’ most passionate and knowledgeable voice on Africa and his expertise will be greatly missed. Congressman Payne was a true leader, working tirelessly to end the genocide in Darfur and secure passage of an historic bipartisan effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Congressman Payne leaves behind a great legacy. His family is in my prayers during this difficult time.”

From Senator Isakson:

“Donald was a friend, and he made many great contributions to our country and to the continent of Africa though his work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. My thoughts and prayers are with Donald’s family at this time.”

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Carper, Coons, Carney to host three more job fairs in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties

WILMINGTON, Del. – To help Delawareans take advantage of the nation’s emerging economic recovery, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney will host three job fairs this spring — one in each of Delaware’s counties.  Businesses looking to hire are encouraged to reserve their spots early and to come prepared to interview talented job seekers who will show up with resumes in-hand.  The Congressional delegation hosted three job fairs across Delaware last year, with nearly 5,000 job seekers attending.

“We have recently seen some good signs that employers are gaining the confidence they need to accelerate hiring in the months ahead,” said Senator Carper. “While that’s encouraging, there are still far too many unemployed Delawareans and we have to continue our efforts to help get our friends and neighbors get back to work. That’s why I am again partnering with our Congressional delegation to bring employers and prospective employees together at job fairs throughout our state. We’ll build on the success of last year’s job fairs throughout Delaware and hopefully help more folks in need find good jobs.”

“Even though the economy has begun to pick up, we can’t stop trying to help our out-of-work neighbors find jobs. It remains my top priority.” Senator Coons said. “Delaware is at its best when it comes together as a community. Nearly 5,000 job seekers came to our job fairs last year, and while I’ve loved hearing from Delawareans who found work at one of them, others still need our help. There are employers right here in Delaware ready to hire, and these job fairs will connect them with talented folks looking for jobs. We received a lot of great feedback about ways to improve on last year’s job fairs, and look forward to applying those lessons at these three fairs.”

“Too many qualified Delawareans continue to have difficulty finding employment,” said Congressman Carney.  “This event will bring together job seekers with businesses, public agencies, and our colleges and universities to provide them with the opportunities and support they need to get back in the workforce.  I’m confident that we can build on the success of last year’s delegation job fairs and recent economic growth to help get Delawareans back to work.”

Job Fair Schedule and Details:

• Kent County Job Fair: April 23, 2012 at Delaware State University in Dover

• Sussex County Job Fair: April 30, 2012 at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center in Rehoboth Beach
• New Castle County Job Fair: June 18, 2012 at Sheraton Wilmington South in New Castle

 In addition to networking with companies looking to hire, job seekers can also take advantage of the myriad workshops, career counseling and resume review opportunities.

For more information or how to participate as an employer or job seekers, please call Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345, or email workshop@coons.senate.gov. 

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Senators Coons, Carper cosponsor new bio-based manufacturing initiative

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.) cosponsored legislation to support the expansion of renewable chemicals and the bio-based manufacturing industry, using agriculture goods to make value-added products and create jobs. The Grow It Here, Make It Here Bio-Based Manufacturing Act would expand the definitions of bio-refinery facilities in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biorefinery Loan Guarantee program and strengthen the USDA Biomass Research and Development Initiative, helping to bring bio-based products like renewable chemicals and fibers to market while creating thousands of high-quality jobs in the bio-manufacturing sector and reducing our dependence on oil. The bill was introduced by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). 

Bio-based manufacturing represents an emerging sector with significant economic growth opportunities for rural America, by both creating new markets for farmers while creating new manufacturing jobs across America in rural and urban areas alike. According to a recent Department of Agriculture study, the bio-based plastic and chemical products industry could create over 100,000 American jobs – and many in rural America. By creating new manufacturing uses for agricultural products and encouraging the growth of bio-based products like DuPont’s SORONA – a renewably sourced fiber used to make carpet – and SUSTERRA – a renewably sourced liquid used to make runway de-icing fluid – companies will continue to invest in locally-grown, renewable resources and materials, which strengthen our nation’s growing manufacturing sector.

“New clean energy technologies will help create high-quality, middle-class jobs at home, while also increasing our national security and the sustainability of our environment,” Sen. Coons, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said. “When we look at the future of our nation’s manufacturing sector, bio-based materials and advanced biofuels are areas with great potential for expansion. The Grow It Here, Make It Here Bio-Based Manufacturing Act is just the type of next-generation, synergistic proposal that can boost domestic investments in bio-based manufacturing, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to see that more American innovations are not only made here in America, but manufactured in Delaware.”

“The Grow It Here, Make It Here Bio-Based Manufacturing Act builds on our existing efforts to create and manufacture next-generation products once again in this country,” said Sen. Carper. “By using existing funds and resources to bring renewable chemicals and bio-based products to market, this forward-thinking bill will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve our environment and public health by curbing harmful air pollution, and create thousands of quality jobs from Sussex County to New Castle County and throughout the nation. The resurgence in our manufacturing industry, as well as an increase in our agricultural exports, is leading our economic recovery, and this bill continues that momentum by bringing these two industries together in powerful and productive partnership. Not only would these initiatives help put Americans back to work, but they position our nation and emerging workforce for long-term economic success.” 

About the Grow it Here, Make it Here Act:

Strengthens the Biopreferred Program which certifies and labels products so consumers can choose to purchase goods made of agriculture materials, and provides a preference for these products for government purchases. Her initiative also calls for greater accountability in the initiative, including auditing and compliance activities to ensure the integrity of the certified label. USDA’s Biopreferred Program offers over 8,900 bio-based products.

Spurs the commercialization of new agricultural innovations by streamlining and focusing resources to help new bio-based projects move from the development to the commercialization phase, also known as the “valley of death” since far too many good ideas do not make it out of this phase. Her initiative focuses the USDA’s Biomass Research and Development Initiative on the commercialization of bio-based products-bridging this gap to help accelerate the bio-based industry.

Increases access to capital for bio-based manufacturers by expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Biorefinery Loan Guarantee Program, so bio-based manufacturers have access to loans to help finance new operations or expand existing ones.

Using American-grown bio-based products displaces foreign petroleum, reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. This redirects investment into domestic operations rather than sending wealth abroad (often to nations hostile to America’s interests) and strengthens American manufacturing and agriculture. Currently, bio-based products represent 4 percent of the market for the plastic and chemical industries, replacing petroleum based products. Recent U.S. Department of Agriculture analysis puts the potential market share of bio-based plastic and chemical products in excess of 20 percent by 2025 with adequate federal policy support. Studies show that if that 20% threshold is realized, it would create over 100,000 American jobs. Other forms of bio-based manufacturing would create even more. 

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Senator Coons cosponsors Clean Energy Standard bill to boost generation of cleaner electricity

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, joined Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) on Thursday in introducing the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, a bill aimed at modernizing our nation’s power sector and guiding it toward a future in which more and more electricity is generated with cleaner energy.

“Passing a national clean energy standard would send a strong signal to our economy that there is a clear path for making smart investments in a range of domestic energy resources and technologies,” Senator Coons said. “The clean energy market is important to America’s long-term economy and national security, and it’s important that we take steps now to ensure that market is strong. This bill, which I am proud to cosponsor, is a strong step in that direction, and I applaud Chairman Bingaman for his leadership on it.”

“There is no question that there will be a cleaner energy future for the world, and there is no question that there will continue to be dramatic advances in the technology through which we generate, store, distribute and access energy,” Senator Coons said at a press conference Thursday announcing the bill. “The only question is whether American companies, American workers, and American communities will derive the benefit from these dramatic advances of this innovation and these new technologies, or whether we will watch an enormous moment of opportunity in the world economy pass us by.” (Audio and video of this quote is available.)

The Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 (CES) employs a straightforward, market-based approach that encourages a wide variety of electricity-generating technologies. It sets a national goal for clean energy and establishes a transparent framework that lets resources compete based on how clean they are, then gets out of the way and lets the market and American ingenuity determine the best paths forward.

Under the plan, all generators of clean energy are given credits based upon their carbon emissions, with greater numbers of credits given to generators with lower emissions per unit of electricity.  This flexible framework naturally allows a wide variety of sources (solar, wind, nuclear, natural gas, coal with carbon capture and storage, etc.) to be used to meet the standard, allows market forces to determine what the optimal mix of technologies and fuels should be, and makes it easy for new technologies to be incorporated.

“Our country needs an energy strategy that doesn’t pick winners and losers,” Senator Coons said. “We need an ‘all of the above’ strategy that takes advantage of the diverse array of energy sources within America’s reach. A clean energy standard is built on a creative, bipartisan idea for driving clean-energy innovation and ingenuity. I hope this bill accelerates a conversation in Washington that brings industry leaders with manufacturers, environmental advocates, and lawmakers to increase domestic energy production in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.”

To be considered “clean,” a generator must either be a zero-carbon source of energy, like renewables and nuclear power, or emit less carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour than a modern, efficient coal plant.  Accounting for “clean” this way means that the cleanest resources have the greatest incentive to become even more efficient.

The CES does not put a limit on overall emissions, nor does it limit the growth of electricity generation to meet the demands of a growing economy. All that the CES requires is that the electricity we do use and add to our fleet gradually becomes cleaner over time.

Also, the CES does not cost the government anything, and it doesn’t earn revenue for the government. If any money does happen to come into the Treasury as a result of the program, it goes straight back to the particular state from which it came to fund energy efficiency programs.

In addition to Chairman Bingaman and Senator Coons, original cosponsors of the Clean Energy Standard Act include Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.).

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Senator Coons welcomes Postal Service decision to keep Hare’s Corner facility open

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons issued the following statement Wednesday evening after getting word that the United States Postal Service would no longer seek to close its Delaware processing and distribution facility at Hare’s Corner in New Castle as part of a broader strategy to cut costs.

“I was glad to learn that the U.S. Postal Service and Postmaster General Pat Donahoe have reconsidered their proposal to potentially close the Hare’s Corner postal processing center. This is great news for the working men and women of Delaware, who have served us for so long and made the Postal Service a great part of our community. As we have in the past, Delaware came together to face this real challenge, and I’m just grateful for Senator Carper, Congressman Carney, Governor Markell, and all the men and women of the Postal Service who’ve come together to present the real facts: that the Hare’s Corner center is vital to our community, vital to our local economy, and an important part of moving forward for Delaware. I think this is a great day for Delaware and I look forward to making progress in the days ahead to ensure that the Postal system stays strong in Delaware and across our country.”

An MP3 audio version of this statement can be downloaded here.

At a public meeting on the potential closure in January, Senator Coons expressed his frustration that the planned closing had come without an explanation of why the Hare’s Corner facility had been selected. “If we’re going to have to make some tough decisions, I’m fine with doing that,” Senator Coons said. “But I have to understand what it’s based on.”

The Senator’s full remarks at the public meeting can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F215kdqtSXI