SRES-348-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5760; text: CR S5754)
Sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)
What it does
This resolution proclaimed the week of September 23–27, 2019, as "National Clean Energy Week." It encourages individuals, organizations, and all levels of government to support clean and low-emitting energy technologies, and recognizes the role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the clean energy sector. It does not create law, appropriate funds, or impose any requirements on any person or entity.
Who benefits
Clean energy industry trade groups and companies that gain positive public recognition. Renewable energy advocates and environmental organizations whose priorities receive symbolic congressional endorsement. Bipartisan sponsors who signal cross-party support for clean energy. Entrepreneurs and small businesses in the clean energy sector who are explicitly recognized in the resolution.
Who is hurt
No group faces a direct material harm from a purely symbolic resolution. Fossil fuel industry stakeholders may view the resolution's framing as implicitly unfavorable to their sector, though the resolution imposes no restrictions or costs on anyone.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that bipartisan resolutions like this one — co-sponsored by members from both parties including Senators Collins, Graham, Cantwell, Coons, Alexander, and Duckworth — signal congressional consensus that clean energy is a shared economic and national interest, not a partisan issue. They contend that public recognition of the sector's 6.7 million jobs and 2%+ annual job growth helps build durable political support for future clean energy legislation and investment.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions consume limited Senate floor time without producing any enforceable policy outcome, and that the resolution's one-sided framing — citing only benefits of clean energy without acknowledging transition costs or reliability concerns — amounts to advocacy rather than neutral recognition. They contend that meaningful energy policy requires substantive legislation, not proclamations, and that the resolution's language could be used to lend unearned congressional credibility to specific industry interests.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issues are raised by this resolution. Commemorative and hortatory resolutions are a well-established congressional practice that do not implicate enumerated powers, agency authority, or individual rights.
Checks and balances
The Senate exercises its internal procedural authority to pass this resolution; it has no binding effect on any other branch, agency, or private party, and no checks are triggered.
Historical precedent
Congress regularly passes commemorative resolutions designating awareness weeks for various industries and causes; this follows the same form and legal effect as those prior resolutions.