Tell Congress: Strengthen Climate Bill

[Yangbo Du]

While the current energy and climate bill falls short on both economic efficiency and environmental goals, it is still advisable not to 'let the perfect be the enemy of the good' should the bill remain in its current form upon passage. At the very least, the proposed 83%-by-2050 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a more ambitious target compared to the 71% reduction target implied by our recommendations almost two years ago, albeit with a considerably weaker implementation process (and prone to perverse incentives inherent upon grandfathering of allowances).

Jeremy, what are some of the opinions expressed by Keystone Energy Board members about H.R. 2454? It might be worth knowing whether nuclear power is (rightfully) being considered as a low-carbon alternative -- beneficial for coal-dependent states, many of which also rely heavily on nuclear generators for electricity -- and whether there has been consideration of decentralized administration of cap-and-trade in which states or regional blocs such as New England's RGGI is responsible for allocating allowances?

Yangbo Du

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Would you flip a coin to determine whether hundreds of thousands of species live or die? How about whether hundreds of millions of people are displaced and forced to live in misery?

Congress is poised to do just that as it moves to vote this Friday, June 26 on a global warming control bill called the American Clean Energy and Security Act. If implemented, the bill would give us - at best - a 50/50 chance of avoiding catastrophic runaway global warming. And it repeals the power of other laws to act as a global warming backstop, effectively putting all our eggs in one precarious basket.

The vote is scheduled for this Friday, June 26th. Click here to tell Congress that the American Clean Energy and Security Act is not strong enough. A real solution must cut greenhouse gas pollution faster and deeper. It must preserve the ability of the Clean Air Act to set scientifically-based pollution standards.

Visit http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27477 to take action.