December 4, 2007
Dear Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Members,
On
behalf of Environment America, the new home of U.S. PIRG’s
environmental work, I am writing to urge your support for several
critical strengthening amendments in Wednesday’s committee meeting on
the Lieberman-Warner global warming legislation (S. 2191).
Environment
America is very encouraged that this bill has been strengthened in
several key ways since its introduction, and is within reach of
achieving what the science says is necessary to address the challenge
of global warming. Most importantly, this legislation as amended by the
Chairman’s Mark and the Boxer 1st Degree amendment, could achieve
necessary short-term science-based pollution reduction targets if the
integrity of the pollution cap is maintained. Because global warming is
such a serious problem, and because S. 2191 represents a serious first
step, Environment America supports this bill, with a number of
reservations.
There are a number of additional changes needed
in order to ensure that the U.S. achieves the long-term global warming
pollution reductions under this bill that scientists say are necessary
to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, while supporting the
clean energy resources that will be critical to achieving those
pollution reductions.
Specifically, we urge the Committee to support the following strengthening amendments:
•
Sen. Sanders’ amendment #4 to promulgate rules to cut global warming
pollution 80 percent by 2050—the minimum reductions necessary to avoid
global warming’s worst effects.
• Sen. Sanders’ amendment #5 to
ensure that the United States achieves the pollution reductions called
for science, by requiring a tightening of the emission caps if the
National Academy of Sciences deems such action necessary to avoid the
worst effects of global warming.
• Sen. Sanders’ amendment #7 to help protect the integrity of the pollution cap by limiting the amount of offset allowances.
•
Sen. Clinton’s amendment #1 to limit the free giveaway of pollution
credits by significantly increasing the portion of pollution credits
that are auctioned.
• Sen. Cardin’s amendment #1 to adequately
fund EPA and other agencies to carry out the programs established by
this bill, using funds from the sale of allowances.
• Sen.
Sanders’ amendment #3 to promote clean energy by maintaining the 85
percent carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) standard for CCS
projects seeking bonus allowances.
It is also critical that this
bill not become weaker through the amendment process. We urge you to
oppose any amendments that weaken the pollution cap or give additional
subsidies to dirty or dangerous energy sources.
Global warming
is the most pressing environmental issue facing this country, and this
legislation represents a significant step toward addressing this
challenge—but the science and scope of the problem demand that these
additional strengthening amendments be adopted. Environment America
urges you to support a strong bill coming out of committee and we look
forward to working with you in the coming weeks and months to address
this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Anna Aurilio
Director, Washington D.C. Office
Environment America
