Ask the Expert: Dan Weiss Discusses Action on Clean Energy

What are the major provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act?

The American Clean Energy and Security Act has three main provisions that will create jobs, cut oil use, and reduce pollution. First, it would require utilities to generate more of their electricity from the wind, the sun, and other renewable energy sources. Second, it will require utilities to reduce energy demand by making sure people use energy more efficiently. Third, it puts a cap on, and then reduces, the total amount of global warming pollution. This cap will be equal to taking 500 million cars off the road by 2020, which is equal to about half of all the cars we have on the road.

How will the legislation affect our economy?

The American Clean Energy and Security Act should prove an economic boost. It will drive investment into clean energy sources like the sun and the wind; it will help make our energy use much more efficient, saving people money; and it will help us invest in the clean energy technologies of the 21st century. China is already ahead of us in the race to be the leader in clean energy. They're going to be spending 12.6 million dollars an hour from their stimulus package to invest in clean energyÑover three times what the U.S. is spending. This bill will drive investments in the same kinds of technologies so we can compete on the worldwide stage.

How does President Obama's clean car program fit into this?

The two main sources of global warming pollution in the U.S. are coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will reduce global warming pollution from those power plants. President Obama's clean car program will reduce global warming from cars. Taken together, they will make a huge dent in our global warming pollution. In addition, both programs would reduce oil use and create jobs.