Boxer-Kerry Climate Bill Improves on House Version, but Consumer Rebates Are Needed and Nuclear Subsidies Must Go

CCAN congratulates Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) for their work to curb global warming emissions and shift to a clean energy economy. It is absolutely critical that the United States take action to show its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions before the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced September 30th, would put the U.S. on the right path, although it doesn’t go far enough.

Boxer-Kerry Climate Bill Improves on House Version, but Consumer Rebates Are Needed and Nuclear Subsidies Must Go
 
Statement on the
“Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act”

Statement of Mike Tidwell, Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network

October 1st, 2009

“CCAN congratulates Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) for their work to curb global warming emissions and shift to a clean energy economy. It is absolutely critical that the United States take action to show its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions before the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced September 30th, would put the U.S. on the right path, although it doesn’t go far enough.

“The bill is an improvement over the House-passed American Clean Energy and Security Act for two main reasons: there is a 3% increase, from 17 to 20%, in the 2020 target for emissions reductions and, more significantly, it upholds the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate global warming pollution from coal plants and other stationary sources of emissions.

“However, there are a number of areas that need strengthening or clarification when the bill is marked up (amended) by the full Environmental and Public Works committee:

“It is unclear how many of the permits to emit pollution will be auctioned and how much of the revenue raised will be returned to consumers a direct way to help offset higher energy bills during the transition to a clean energy economy. (CCAN continues to believe a “cap and dividend” approach would be far superior in this regard than the “cap and trade” approach passed by the House). Over the summer over 1,000 hand-written letters were sent to Maryland Senator Ben Cardin urging him to include strong protections for consumers. CCAN looks forward to Cardin’s continued leadership on this issue as the bill is marked up in committee.

“While the targets are stronger, the Senate bill falls short of what scientists say is necessary to avert catastrophic climate impacts: a 25-40% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2020. And allowing for 2 billion tons of ‘offsets’ each year (equal to 27% of the U.S.’s total annual emissions) could mean that there will be very little actual reductions of emissions by polluting plants in the U.S. for a decade and a half.

“The Senate bill also differs from the House version in that it subsidizes expensive and unsafe nuclear energy. The Chesapeake Bay region has abundant renewable energy sources, including a huge potential for offshore wind. Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency is a safer, faster and less expensive alternative to nukes.

“Finally, the Senate bill allows for new coal plants to be built from now until 2025 without any need to sequester carbon until as late as 2027.

“As we did for the House bill, CCAN will work actively to oppose efforts to weaken this bill and will support efforts to strengthen it.”

Coal Lobbyists Stooped to New Lows in Effort to Kill Clean Energy Bill

Letters sent to Congressman Tom Perriello (D-5th Dist.) from at least six Charlottesville-based minority groups opposing the American Clean Energy and Security Act were forged, the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported today. Congressman Perriello, a freshman Congressman from the Charlottesville area was considered a swing vote on the legislation. It is unclear whether other Congressmen received similar fake letters. Continue reading

Don't put climate on back burner

The Baltimore Sun

By Mike Tidwell

President Barack Obama may have made history last November, but he seems deaf to history’s loudest call right now. The president clearly believes that health care reform, above all else, will define his early presidency. But even if Mr. Obama scores total success on health care, few future Americans will care or remember as long as the Earth’s ailing atmosphere goes untreated.

Continue reading

Supporters Demand Senate Restore Global Warming Authority to EPA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2009

Supporters Demand Senate Restore Global Warming Authority to EPA

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2009-As Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson testified before the Environment and Public Works Committee today, grassroots advocates turned out in force to demand restoration of the EPA’s authority to regulate global warming pollution from dirty coal plants.

“We’re asking the Senate to empower the EPA,” said Katherine McEachern, a recent Cornell University graduate who now works at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “I know our Senators are up to the task of tackling global warming, but it’s also imperative that they give the EPA back its authority to regulate these filthy coal plants.”

Last month the House of Representatives successfully passed H.R. 2454, a 1,400-page cap-and-trade bill that was the result of months of negotiations. In a highly controversial compromise, the House repealed the Clean Air Act provision that empowered the EPA to regulate carbon pollution from dirty coal plants.

Without this provision, the Obama Administration is powerless to stop hundreds of old, dirty coal plants from spewing global warming pollution into the air. Some of the biggest climate polluters on the planet could be let off the hook.

Even worse, the coal industry is trying to build at least 100 more dirty coal plants. For years, environmental and citizen groups have blocked these plants. Right now the Chesapeake Climate Action Network is fighting two proposed coal plants in Virginia alone. If this Clean Air Act provision is eliminated, local groups may be unable to stop another generation of dependence on dirty coal.

Today marked the beginning of a week-long series of hearings and high-level meetings aimed at producing a Senate complement to the House climate bill. Joining Administrator Jackson were Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, and more.

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