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Energy:
America's Climate Security Act

Our Position: support
Bill Number: S. 2191
Sponsor: Senator Lieberman (I-CT), Senator Warner (R-VA)
Legislative Session: 2007

This bill sets a goal of reducing capped emissions 15 percent by 2020 and 70 percent by 2050. In its current form, the bill only caps 80 percent of total U.S. emissions.  The bill would initially auction only 24 percent of its allowances, rising to a 73 percent auction in 2036. The bill would allow emitters to meet up to 30 percent of its emission requirements through the purchase of carbon offsets such as forestry practices and methane capture.

Our specific concerns about the bill are that it caps only 80% of the economy, is not aggressive enough in its targets for carbon emission reductions, and distributes the majority of carbon credits at no cost up until 2036.  In order to avert the worst effects of global warming, we need a comprehensive global warming bill that reduces emissions by at least 20% by 2020, does not distribute the majority of carbon emission allowances at no cost, and only allows a minimal percentage of emission reduction targets to be met through offsets.    

Status

This bill was introduced on October 18, 2007 and passed through the Environment and Public Works subcommittee on November 1.  The bill then passed out of full committee on December 5, 2007.  We expect this bill to come to the floor in mid-May.   

Action Needed

Contact your Senators and urge them to support the Sanders-Boxer Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act – a bill that will REALLY reduce carbon emissions and curb global warming.   

http://action.sierraclub.org/boxersanders

Contact

Katie McLoughlin

Global Warming and Energy Program

202-672-2386

katie.mcloughlin@sierraclub.org