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America needs a new energy policy that responds to the threat of global warming by investing in smart energy solutions. A bold shift from our current reliance on dirty fossil fuels to a cleaner and brighter energy future will not only curb global warming and protect the environment, it will also lower energy bills, generate new economic opportunities, and create good-paying jobs across the country. Sierra Club's Clean Energy Vision Scientists agree that we must act soon to avert the danger of global warming. Since the heat-trapping gases that cause global warming come largely from burning fossil fuels, any effort to meet the challenge of global warming must involve a new energy policy for America. The Sierra Club and the American Solar Energy Society recently co-released a report that outlines a visionary energy policy that puts clean and efficient energy technology to work to reduce our carbon dioxide emission by 80% by 2050. This report represents Sierra Club's vision for a smarter, cleaner, cheaper, energy policy. A New Direction in Congress The Sierra Club's Global Warming & Energy Program supports legislation that would promote a better energy policy for the United States. In the 110th Congress, the Sierra Club focused on efforts to increase the fuel economy of America's new cars and light trucks, establish a national Renewable Energy Standard, promote energy efficient technology, and enact legislation requiring economy-wide reductions in global warming emissions. In December 2007, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act (HR 6). Highlights of this energy bill included an increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for the first time since their inception in 1975. The law requires auto makers to average 35 mpg by 2020 - a 40% improvement over the previous 25 mpg standard. The bill also phases out CAFE credits for producing Flex Fuel Vehicles - a loophole that has actually increased America's oil consumption. HR 6 also includes an aggressive Renewable Fuels Standard with modest environmental safeguards. But there's still a long way to go! Absent from this energy bill was a national Renewable Electricity Standard of at least 15% by 2020. The Sierra Club's preferred RES bill is the Udall-Platts RES of 20% by 2020 (HR 969). We have the technology and resources to use clean, renewable sources of electricity that will meet our demand and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also need comprehensive global warming legislation that will meet science-based emissions reduction targets of at least 80% by 2050. You can read more about a national RES and global warming legislation below. Take Action! Visit our Action Center and urge your members of Congress to support legislation promoting smart energy solutions to global warming! Find out more about clean energy legislation in Congress: Fuel Economy | Clean Electricity | Global Warming Legislation Fuel Economy Bill Number and Name: Energy Independence and Security Act, HR 6 Next step in fuel economy legislation: Push for 40 mpg - we can do better!
Clean Electricity Bill Number and Name: HR 969 - national Renewable Electricity Standard of 20% by 2020 Lead Sponsors: Representatives Udall (D-NM) and Platts (R-PA) Summary: This legislation would require 20% of our nation's electricity to be generated from clean, renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal by 2020. We have the technology today to generate electricity from sources other than dirty, polluting fossil fuels that contribute ghastly amounts of global warming pollution. 28 states have already adopted state renewable portfolio standards - a national standard would put us on the path to curbing global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 233 million metric tons and saving consumers $10.5 billion on their energy bills by 2020. Sierra Club's position: Support
Global Warming Legislation The Sierra Club supports an auction system by which the government establishes a finite amount of allowable carbon emissions, and companies may purchase shares of this overall emission allowance. Bill number and name: Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309) Lead sponsors: Sen. Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Boxer (D-CA) Synopsis: S. 309 calls for a reduction in emissions in order to prevent global temperature from increasing an additional two degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. This bill aims to contain carbon dioxide concentrations to 450 ppm and reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Sierra Club's position: Support Bill number and name: Safe Climate Act of 2007 (H.R. 1590) Lead sponsor: Rep. Waxman (D-CA) Synopsis: HR 1590 freezes U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 at 2009 levels. Beginning in 2011, this bill mandates a reduction of greenhouse gases by two percent every year, eventually reaching 1990 levels by 2020. After 2020, this bill cuts emissions by five percent per year, eventually reaching greenhouse gas reductions of 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Sierra Club's position: Support
To view bill text and cosponsors, please visit www.thomas.loc.gov and enter the bill number. Take Action! Urge your members of Congress to support legislation implementing a carbon cap! Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use |
Making our cars and light trucks go farther on a gallon of gas is the biggest single step we can take to saving money at the gas pump, cutting America's oil dependence, and curbing global warming. Learn more about how 
Investing in clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power and boosting energy efficiency can effectively meet our energy needs while avoiding the need for polluting power plants which account for over one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. 
In order to control global warming, comprehensive global warming legislation must reduce our carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050. Most bills currently in congress include a carbon cap and trade system, the purpose of which is to cap and reduce carbon emissions in the economy.