Rep. Gabbard’s OFF Act for Clean Energy Economy Gains Momentum

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (OFF Act), H.R. 3671, continues to gain momentum, adding 28 Congressional cosponsors and over 400 endorsements from clean energy, climate change and environmental organizations since introduction. Building on progress made in Hawai‘i and other states, this legislation will put the United States on a pathway to replace fossil fuels with 100% clean energy generation and use by 2035.

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Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said: “For too long, our nation has failed to take action on climate change, putting the future of our people and our planet in danger. This inaction has led to record-breaking sea levels that are eroding our infrastructure, rising ocean temperatures that are dramatically altering marine life and destroying our coral reefs, and exacerbating natural disasters. All people deserve to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and believe in the promise of a bright future. We must build upon the momentum growing at the federal, state, and local levels, and pass the OFF Act to end our addiction to fossil fuels and transition the country to a 100% clean energy economy by 2035. This bill lays the foundation for a just and economic pathway toward a cleaner, more secure future for all.”

“’Keep it in the ground’ has become a rallying cry for climate activists around the world,” said May Boeve, Executive Director, 350.org. The OFF Act does exactly that: it keeps fossil fuels in the ground. In the fight to stop the greedy fossil fuel industry from wrecking our climate, seeing members of congress standing firmly on the side of 100% renewable energy gives our movement hope.”

“It is imperative that the United States breaks its addiction to fossil fuels,” said Congressman Joe Crowley. Clean energy is a better economic investment in our future and will ensure families are healthy, safe, and secure for generations to come. I’m proud to join Rep. Gabbard’s effort to keep fossil fuels in the ground and invest in renewable energy.”

“Climate change is real. We can already see its effects on communities across the United States, and the Earth is rapidly approaching a tipping point that threatens global health and security,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “To protect our planet for today and for tomorrow, we must reduce carbon emissions and embrace a sustainable energy future. That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor the OFF Act, which puts our country on a pathway to replace fossil fuels with clean energy.”

“Low income communities, communities of color and indigenous communities have paid the biggest price for pollution, for the climate crisis and for decades of disinvestment,” said Jessica Juarez Scruggs, Deputy Policy Director, People’s Action Institute. “The Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act is an important step forward because it takes bold action that will help the hardest hit communities: creating good jobs, ending fossil fuel extraction, cleaning up our communities and setting us on the path to a clean energy future we can all share.”

“National Nurses United applauds the members of Congress who have cosponsored the Off Fossil Fuels for a Healthy Future Act, HR 3671,” said Jean Ross, RN, Co-President of National Nurses United. “As registered nurses, we see the negative health consequences of pollution and climate injustice when we care for patients at the bedside. We must act immediately to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels and slow the warming climate and environmental pollution that is threatening our patients. We urge every member of Congress to stand with us to protect patients, our communities, and our planet.”

“The science is clear. There is no time to spare. We must move decisively to protect the planet through healthy energy policy,” said Progressive Democrats of America’s Donna Smith. “The Off Fossil Fuels For a Healthy Future Act, HR3671, sets the course forward by assuring that by 2035 we will rely on renewable energy sources. Progressive Democrats of America strongly urges Congressional members to stand on the side of science, health, and the well-being of future generations.”

“The OFF Act is the only legislation that prioritizes both environmental justice and a swift transition away from fossil fuels on a timeline that will give us a fighting chance to avoid runaway climate chaos,” said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch. “We applaud these members of Congress who share Rep. Gabbard’s vision for tackling the greatest threat we face, even if it is a poke in the eye to the powerful fossil fuel industry.”

Background:
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s OFF Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act, H.R. 3671 is currently supported by environmental advocates and co-sponsors including Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton, (DC-AL), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), James McGovern (MA-02), Karen Bass (CA-37), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Danny Davis (IL-07), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Nita Lowey (NY-17), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Michael Capuano (MA-07), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12) and Joe Crowley (NY-14). The legislation has also been endorsed by over 400 clean energy, climate change, and environmental organizations.