Last week, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) -- a bill that will fire the starting gun in the race to build America's clean energy economy and solve global warming. The bill begins to lay the groundwork for a future powered by the wind and sun -- energy sources that won't run out, don't harm our environment and will only grow cheaper over time. We applaud Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ninth, for voting for it.

The bill would reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by 83 percent by 2050. In addition, the bill commits the United States to achieving additional emission reductions through agreements to prevent deforestation. The bill would establish strong minimum targets for commercial and residential building codes of 30 percent energy savings starting in 2010 and 50 percent savings for residential buildings starting in 2014 and for commercial buildings in 2015.