| June 29, 2010 |  |
Obama Puts Administration Muscle Behind Climate and Energy Bill in Meeting with Senators
WASHINGTON (June 29, 2010) – President Obama’s call for Congress to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation that includes a cap on carbon indicates that his administration is willing to expend political capital to secure a bill that would dramatically reduce emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The president made the request earlier today during a meeting with two dozen senators at the White House.
“President Obama is showing that he’s willing to put his weight behind the effort to pass comprehensive legislation,” said UCS President Kevin Knobloch. “He understands that putting us on the long-term path toward clean energy means putting a cap on carbon.
“Truly comprehensive climate and energy legislation that includes a carbon cap would give us the best chance of reducing emissions to the level scientists say we need to avoid the worst consequences of climate change,” Knobloch continued. “A limit on carbon that only covers the utility sector must be combined with very strong policies aimed at reducing emissions from across the rest of the economy to get the job done.”
UCS also is urging senators and the White House to ensure that comprehensive climate and energy legislation:
- sets a national plan to cut U.S. dependence on oil;
- preserves EPA’s authority to reduce emissions under the Clean Air Act;
- significantly boosts renewable electricity production and energy efficiency;
- allows the president to meet U.S. commitments to protect tropical forests, finance adaptation, and export clean energy technologies to developing nations; and
- avoids giving a blank check to the nuclear industry in the form of unlimited loan guarantees and other subsidies, as well as regulatory shortcuts that increase the likelihood of accidents and threats to public safety.
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.
