Rep. Doyle was quoted in today’s Post-Gazette on his role as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the committee’s role in shaping climate legislation:
"Some of the other most coveted House committee spots are on the Energy and Commerce panel, which has broad jurisdiction over issues including health care, and environmental issues.
Mr. Doyle is the state's senior Democrat on the panel. Heading its agenda are the hugely contentious issues of climate change legislation and health care reform.
Mr. Doyle argues that action on climate change is well overdue, but he said one of his chief priorities will be the effort to craft controls on carbon emission that do not hamstring heavy manufacturers, such as the steel industry.
"We have to level the playing field," Mr. Doyle said. "If we don't do that, all of these industries are going to move their factories to places like China and Brazil that don't have those rules, then we'd end up with fewer jobs and no gain for the environment."
We encourage Rep. Doyle to always remember that by addressing global warming in a meaningful, substantial way we can also create jobs and stimulate the economy. That’s why the United Steelworkers have been at the forefront of efforts to invest in technology and industries that help spur new “green jobs.” As Leo Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers, recently said, “The commitment to a clean energy economy will not only lead to quality jobs in manufacturing unions and the building trades, it will help stop good-paying jobs from continuing to be exported.”
