| August 6, 2010 |  |
Too Many Senators are More Concerned about Short-Term Oil and Coal Profits Than Long-Term Public Interest
In Absence of Federal Climate and Energy Bill, EPA and States Must Act to Reduce Carbon Pollution
WASHINGTON (August 6, 2010) – The Senate will adjourn for its August recess today without passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill – inaction the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) called "infuriating, distressing and inexcusable."
"Too many senators put the oil and coal industries' near-term financial considerations ahead of the environment, public health, national security and economic future of the nation," said Kevin Knobloch, president of UCS. "It's distressing that the oil and coal lobbies, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and conservative news media apparently have an iron grip on our elected officials."
In theory, the Senate has time to enact a bill this session, but the prospects are extremely dim. During the August recess, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and other Senate climate champions will continue negotiations with some electric utilities and moderate senators to try to reach agreement on legislation that would require utilities to reduce their carbon emissions. If they can craft legislation that could garner 60 votes, the Senate could conceivably pass the bill in September. Also, the Senate could consider a renewable electricity standard that would set a framework for increasing the use of renewables by the electric utility industry. A House-Senate conference committee would then reconcile the Senate provisions with the House energy and climate bill that passed in June 2009.
If the Senate fails to act–as is expected–it is paramount that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proceed with its plan to limit power plant, transportation, industrial and agricultural heat-trapping emissions, Knobloch said. UCS will continue to fight efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act and prevent the EPA from setting pollution standards.
"In addition, the administration should set strong standards for new cars and trucks—standards the president already pledged to deliver," said Knobloch. "Automakers have the technology to boost fuel economy and cut tailpipe pollution. In this way we can cut global warming emission and start breaking America's oil dependence. The BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico makes it painfully clear we need to reduce our oil use."
UCS plans to pressure the administration this fall to enact stringent carbon emissions reduction policies. "But because the administration can only do so much, we also will push state utility commissions to adequately represent the public interest by shutting down the oldest and dirtiest power plants," said Knobloch. "Likewise, we will press states and regional climate compacts to adopt strong carbon reduction measures."
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.
