| April 26, 2010 |  |
Kevin Knobloch: Senate Must Move Forward with Climate and Energy Bill
Union of Concerned Scientists' president Kevin Knobloch posted a response to the National Journal's Energy and Environment Experts blog regarding Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R—S.C.) threat to quit climate and energy negotiations if the Senate takes up immigration before voting on climate and energy legislation.
We've come too far to give up on a clean energy future.
We can't afford to let climate change proceed unchecked. We can't allow China and India to beat us in the race for clean energy development. We need to tap into our country's vast renewable energy potential and create new American jobs. And we must do more to curb our addiction to oil.
The House passed comprehensive climate and energy legislation nearly a year ago. And Sens. Kerry, Graham and Lieberman were on the cusp of introducing similar legislation that could make it through the Senate. We have never been so close to putting this country on track to dramatically cut heat-trapping emissions and reduce our oil dependence. Climate and energy legislation has survived dozens of premature eulogies. This is a murmur, not a heart attack. Senators need to overcome their political disagreements and do what's right for our country.
The energy-only bill from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee isn't enough to get the job done. For one, it would not spur renewable electricity development beyond what we already expect to achieve under current state and federal policy. The bill is simply not an alternative to comprehensive climate and energy legislation.
The American people -- and people around the world -- are anxiously waiting for the Senate to act. The latest science is pointing to ever more dire and costly consequences of climate change. The Senate is the last hurdle to clear. We need to make that jump this year.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
