Contact Congress about H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Big polluters would need permits for greenhouse gas emissions. Large utilities would have to use more renewable power or prove real energy savings. The bill passed the House in 2009 but did not become law.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects large polluters, electric utilities, and people who depend on energy prices. It also affects farmers, forest owners, builders, appliance makers, car and truck programs, workers in energy-related jobs, and low-income households. States and federal agencies would also get new duties for clean energy rules, tracking systems, and program oversight.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would put a national limit and price on greenhouse gas pollution. That could change how power companies, factories, builders, farmers, and transportation systems make long-term choices. It could also change energy costs and investment in clean technology. The biggest practical questions are how much pollution falls, how much energy costs change, and whether offsets and markets work as promised.
Key provisions in H.R. 2454
- Creates a new Global Warming Pollution Reduction Program under the Clean Air Act. It sets economy-wide greenhouse gas goals, targets for covered sectors, and regular reviews by scientists and the President.
- Large retail electric suppliers would need to meet a clean power and energy-saving target. This applies to suppliers that sell at least 4 million megawatt-hours a year, and the target rises to 20% of sales for 2020 through 2039.
- Creates federal renewable electricity credits, often called RECs, to prove clean power was produced. The bill sets rules to issue, track, trade, save for up to 3 years, and use up those credits, with extra credit for small local renewable systems.
- Federal agencies would have to meet the same renewable power targets as utilities. They could sign renewable power purchase contracts lasting up to 20 years.
- States could ask to let utilities meet more of their target through verified energy savings instead of renewable credits. A central procurement state could also take over compliance duties for its utilities.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 2454
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 2454
- What is H.R. 2454?
- Big polluters would need permits for greenhouse gas emissions. Large utilities would have to use more renewable power or prove real energy savings. The bill passed the House in 2009 but did not become law.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 2454?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 2454?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 2454 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
