Hi!
Only have a couple of minutes to be on the computer this morning but wanted to share with you an e-mail that I received from Senator Patty Murry (D-WA) after signing and sending a copy of the letter at
http://www.ClimateStar.org to her a couple of days ago. It's nice to know that some in D.C. still listen to their constituents (although I've known she will for a long time).
Wed, 19 Jan 2005
Dear (me):
Thank you for writing to me about S. 139, the Climate Stewardship Act.
It is good to hear from you.
As you may know, in February 2002, the Bush Administration announced a
proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. This
program, dubbed Clear Skies, aims to reduce emissions using a
market-based approach. This approach will allow industrial emitters to trade
established credits of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury so
that emissions will be reduced in the most efficient manner possible. I
agree this market-based approach is the most effective and cheapest way
of reducing emissions, however, the Clear Skies plan severely falls
short of the mark in terms of meaningfully reducing our nation's air
pollution.
I believe Clear Skies is inadequate for two reasons. First, the
proposal does not require mandatory reductions in carbon dioxide, which is
the primary gas causing global warming. I believe any new emissions
reductions for power plants and other large industrial sources must include
mandatory reductions in carbon dioxide; this will ensure real progress
in reducing greenhouse gases in this country and will provide greater
certainty to industry. Second, while Clear Skies imposes new emissions
reductions requirements, it extends existing pollution reduction
deadlines outlined in the 1990 CAA amendments. Any new pollution reduction
requirements should not weaken existing laws by extending deadlines.
In January 2003, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Joseph
Lieberman (D-CT) introduced S. 139, the Climate Stewardship Act. This bill
requires reductions in greenhouse gases to 2000 levels by 2010 and to 1990
levels by 2016. Like other air pollution legislation, pollution
reductions would be achieved through a market-driven system of tradable
allowances. A nation-wide emissions cap would be place on four sectors of
the economy: power plants, industrial facilities, transportation sources
and commercial operations. Under S. 139, allowances for carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases could be used interchangeably with passenger
vehicle fuel economy standard credits. I believe the Climate
Stewardship Act offers a pragmatic and sensible approach to meeting the goals of
the Kyoto Protocol, which the Bush Administration has abandoned. I am
proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation.
On October 29, 2003, S. 139 came to the Senate floor for consideration.
Following five hours of debate on the bill, the bill was defeated 55-43
and sent back to the Environmental and Public Works Committee where it
will await further consideration. Although the bill was defeated, I
believe the vote was positive because it indicates that many members of
the Senate are taking global warming more seriously. To read the floor
speech I gave in favor of the bill, please visit murray.senate.gov.
As our region continues to grow, air pollution will put a real strain
on the quality of life we hold so dear. As the world's largest emitter
of greenhouse gases, the United States should lead the way in creating
innovative ways to implement mandatory greenhouse gas reductions
without drastically affecting the economy. Please know that as the 108th
Congress continues, I will continue to fight with my environmentally
conscious colleagues in the Senate to resist further environmental rollbacks
by this Administration.
Again, thank you for writing to me about this important issue. Please
keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
[email protected]
