Rep. Michael Michaud reprsents Maine's 2nd District in the U.S. Congress.

The growing threat of global climate change and our continued reliance on foreign oil are two of our country's greatest challenges. I believe that if we focus on rapidly expanding the production of clean, alternative energy and reducing our use of oil, our country can both reduce global warming and make America more energy independent.

This year Earth Day falls on April 22nd. Earth Day gives the country an opportunity to focus on these key challenges and rededicate ourselves to the preservation of our planet. By not acting, we would be putting at risk our economy, our environment, and our national security. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to act now.

We must do what we can here in America to protect the environment, and we must lead the world in advancing global initiatives to lessen our impact on the planet. Promoting reductions in American emissions and reengaging in the world dialogue are essential for America in the fight against global climate change. Improving vehicle emission standards and working with the international community to limit global emissions are two examples of actions we can take to promote our larger goal of addressing global climate change.

Virtually all scientists agree that climate change is real and that its likely effects will be devastating. In February, the world's top climate scientists put out a landmark report that concluded that the evidence for global warming is now "unequivocal" and that human activity is the main cause. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was agreed to by more than 100 countries.

The impacts of global climate change are too serious to ignore. They include: increased risk of storm damage and erosion to coastal communities, changes in distribution of human and animal diseases, and decreased snow pack with adverse affects on our water supply. It is well past time for the United States to make a serious effort to slow global climate change.

I am supportive of investment in a broad array of alternative fuel sources, including biofuels. Further development of biofuel technologies could be particularly beneficial for Maine, where wood and wood wastes could become a major source of ethanol and other fuels.

I am pleased that the new leadership in the House of Representatives has already taken some important steps forward. For the first time, the House has created a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. This Select Committee will play a key role in informing Congress and the public, developing policy initiatives, and ensuring we make real progress over the next two years.

In its first 100 hours, the House also passed a bill that repeals $14 billion in subsidies given to big oil companies and shifts those resources to investments in clean, alternative energy and energy efficiency. In addition, the bill would create a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to invest in clean, renewable energy resources and alternative fuels, promote new energy technologies, develop greater efficiency and improve energy conservation.

The House leadership has indicated that by June, several House committees will create legislation to make America more energy independent and begin to address global warming. That legislative package will be a starting point for a new energy policy for America - an energy policy that will focus on shifting away from imported oil and instead investing in clean, alternative energy sources. This package will call for significant new investments in renewable energy and improved energy efficiency that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to curb global warming. These are long overdue steps.

With American ingenuity and a commitment from Congress, we are moving in a new direction to permanently address global warming and make our nation energy independent.