Jeffords
Introduces Landmark Legislation
to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Pollution
Sen. Jeffords addresses a rally to celebrate the
introduction of the Global Warming Pollution Reducation Act with
(from left) Senators Lautenberg, Akaka, Leahy, Boxer, Bingaman,
and Reed.
Click here
to see video of Jeffords and other Senators at the bill's introductory
rally.
Click here
to see a copy of the bill.
Click here
to see Sen. Jeffords' Congressional Record statement on the bill.
Click here
to see a brief description of some of the bill's provisions.
Click here
to see a summary of the bill.
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.
Senator Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Environment
and Public Works Committee, today introduced sweeping legislation
that will for the first time set the United States on a path to
decrease and, in time, reverse the emissions of greenhouse gases
that cause global warming.
The science is
clear, mankind is heating the planet in a manner that is destructive,
said Jeffords, who summoned the United States to take its rightful
place as a world leader. We can no longer afford to watch
from the sidelines. We are a nation of innovators, and we have
the skills to develop the technology to make these needed changes.
"This legislation
is a flexible and forward-thinking approach to combating the threat
of global warming. Senator Jeffords has laid down an important
marker for us to work toward, so that our children and our grandchildren
will see that we had the wisdom and leadership to choose a better
path for our world, said Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), the
bills lead co-sponsor.
Highlights of Jeffords
Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act:
· Requires that
the U.S. reduce its emissions between 2010 and 2020 to 1990 levels.
By 2030, the U.S. must reduce its emissions by 1/3 of 80% percent
below 1990 levels, by 2040 by 2/3 of 80% percent below 1990 levels
and by 2050, to a level that is 80 percent below 1990 levels.
· Requires that
power plants, automobiles and carbon intensive businesses reduce
their global warming pollution.
· In the event
that global atmospheric concentrations exceed 450 parts per million
or that average global temperatures increase above 2 degrees Celsius
(3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average, EPA
can require additional reductions.
· Provides for
standards and grants for sequestration of greenhouse gases.
· The National
Academy of Sciences will report to EPA and the Congress to determine
whether goals of the Act have been met.
· Requires the
US to derive 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by
2020.
· Establishes
energy efficiency standards similar those found in California
and ten other states.
· Invests in
innovative technologies.
I appreciate
the strong leadership that Senator Jeffords has demonstrated on
protecting our environment, including his latest proposal on climate
change, said Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). Sen. Domenici
and I have worked for more than a year on a different approach
to what needs to be done to address this serious problem, and
we will continue to work together. Regardless, I am encouraged
that Senator Jeffords and other senators are offering fresh ideas
on how to slow, stop and reverse the greenhouse gas emissions
that cause global warming.
Senators
joining Jeffords and Boxer as original co-sponsors are Senators,
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Patrick Leahy
(D-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-RI), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chris Dodd (D-CT),
Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
Sen. Jeffords embraces Sen. Leahy at the
introductory rally.
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Statement of Senator
Jim Jeffords, I-Vt.
On Introduction of Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2006
July 20, 2006
We gather today to
call for change. Forty years ago I began my public service as
part of a generation committed to defend the rights and liberties
of people across this nation and around the world. Today, I am
here to pass the torch to a new generation.
I have dedicated much
of my career to advancing education and to preserving the environment.
I am proud of my accomplishments. But I am concerned that my generation
has not left this planet in good health, and on behalf of my generation,
I offer a partial solution to a problem that dwarfs all others.
The earth is warming.
The science is clear: mankind is heating the planet in a manner
that is destructive.
Today, I have introduced
legislation that attempts to reverse global warming.
This bill mandates that polluting industries begin to make significant
reductions in their output of greenhouse gases. Our legislation
requires that power plants, automobiles and carbon-intensive businesses
reduce their global warming pollution. This measure calls on the
United States to do its part and join the international community
to stop human-induced warming.
We can no longer afford
to watch from the sidelines. We are a nation of innovators, and
we have the skills to develop the technology to make these changes.
There will be skeptics. They will tell us we are mistaken, that
climate change is a myth. They are wrong.
I pledge to do all
that I can do in my remaining days in the Senate to convince our
nation's leaders that we can conquer this problem. But only if
we start now. You have the energy and I have the faith that together,
we can succeed.
I want to thank all
the young folks here today, who have a far greater role than I
in solving this critical problem. We are at the beginning of a
new national purpose. I challenge you to work to commit our national
government to recognize global warming as a serious problem and
to pass my legislation.
I have been in Washington
long enough to know that this won't be done overnight, and it
isn't likely to be done in the six months before I retire. But
I am comforted in knowing that Senator Boxer, who will take my
place on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, stands
ready to take up where I leave off. And she'll have plenty of
help from our other colleagues who are here today.
So to Senator Boxer,
I say, Barbara, let's keep up the good fight!
Thank you.
(Go
to Press Office)
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