Udall: America Needs Progressive Environmental Laws

June 16, 2009 1:50 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) says the United States needs to adopt progressive laws to promote "green" industries, just like Colorado has done in recent years.

In a letter to supporters, Udall blasted an energy policy that "has failed to spur a new energy economy or wean our nation off our dangerous dependence on foreign oil." Udall also took aim at the Bush administration saying it "abandoned their responsibility to protect the earth's resources."

But after electing a wave of Democrats into the House, Senate and White House, Udall says America is poised to change in the right direction.

"With a strong majority, we have a real shot at making the changes our energy and environmental policy desperately needs," Udall explained. "Our first chance to make that change is with the House of Representatives, which is debating a comprehensive reform bill. I want to make sure my former colleagues know that we're standing with them as they move toward voting on this important legislation."

"I helped pass a pro-green Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) in Colorado in 2004. Since then, the Pew Charitable Trust reported, Colorado has seen clean energy job growth at twice the national rate while attracting the 5th largest amount of venture capital in the country - three quarters of which went into clean energy development. Without the RES, none of that would have been possible," Udall said.