Response to the Waxman-Markey climate change bill passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week has been mixed.
Republicans–not surprisingly–continue to stand in opposition to the bill, which would create a carbon cap-and-trade program in the U.S., as well as a mandate for the creation of renewable energy.
But some environmentalists, who say the bill is too weak, also are against the bill. Most notably, Greenpeace and the Center for Biological Diversity said they could not support the bill. A joint statement issued with several other groups said: "Despite the best efforts of Chairman Waxman, the decision-making process was co-opted by oil and coal lobbyists determined to sustain our addiction to dirty fossil fuels, even as the country stands ready to rebuild our economy and clean up the environment with real clean energy. The resulting bill reflects the triumph of politics over science, and the triumph of industry influence over the public interest."
It continues: "As passed through the Energy & Commerce Committee, the American Clean
Energy and Security Act sets targets for reducing pollution that are far
weaker than science says is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change.
The targets are far less ambitious than what is achievable with already
existing technology. They are further undermined by massive loopholes that
could allow the most polluting industries to avoid real emission reductions
until 2027. Rather than provide relief and support to consumers, the bill
showers polluting industries with hundreds of billions of dollars in free
allowances and direct subsidies that will slow renewable energy development
and lock in a new generation of dirty coal-fired power plants. At the same
time, the bill would remove the President’s authority to address global
warming pollution using laws already on the books."
Other environmental and industry groups praised the bil.
The National Resources Defense Council issued the following statement: "As the bill moves to the House floor, we need to build on the progress made in the Energy and Commerce Committee and enact this important legislation."
Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, said: “By creating a market-based incentive to reduce emissions in a cost-effective manner, the carbon cap and trade program created by the American Clean Energy and Security Act has the potential to be the most significant energy efficiency policy, as well as the most significant climate policy, ever implemented in this country. It would help make the U.S. a world leader.”
In Related News…
Reuters environmental correspondent Deborah Zabarenko said President Barack Obama is achieving a "delicate balance" on the issue of climate change–positioning the U.S. to lead the international efforts to cut greenhouse gases, while simultaneously addressing the concerns of U.S. industries.
Read the full report at the link below.
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