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The Past
The Present
The Future
Related Legislation
For the record:
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Press Releases
Online Resources
National Academy
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The White House:
Climate Change
Fact Sheet

Down-to-Earth Solutions:
The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change

It is clear that the issue of climate change demands our attention - and our action. There is no easy fix. Instead, we must work toward realistic solutions from many different angles.

Above all, we must ensure that sound science and attainable, fair goals frame any plan of action we adopt. We must also protect our standard of living, our global economic competitiveness, and our national security. Our dependence on foreign oil can only be reduced by promoting greater production of clean fuels and technologies here in the United States. The solution is to promote cleaner energy production from proven sources, such as nuclear and hydropower. We must also invest in promising new technologies, such as cellulosic ethanol.

The Past

Clear Science


On June 7, 2005, the Royal Society issued a press release entitled "Clear science demands prompt action on climate change say G8 science academies." On June 8, 2005, I wrote a letter to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) asking them to clarify the statements made by the Royal Society and in response, the NAS sent a letter highlighting the misrepresentation of the NAS's position as outlined by the Royal Society. Links to the press release and both letters are below.

We all know that the Earth has a changing climate - it has changed almost continually since our world was formed. Because our environment is very complex, scientists are not certain how much man contributes to climate variability compared to nature.

In the late 1990s, the United Nations proposed the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty outlining stifling regulations on developed countries in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases. Despite lobbying by the Clinton Administration in favor of the Kyoto Protocol, the United States Senate rejected it by a vote of 95-0. Over time, the wisdom of that vote has become increasingly clear, and more realistic and fair proposals have been offered.

The United States commits billions of dollars each year (more than all other nations combined) on the science and technology to enhance research and development efforts that will better inform climate change policy decisions.

Learn about other climate change legislation introduced in the Senate.

Congress enacted legislation that will have a significant long-term impact on reducing emissions through the deployment of cleaner technologies. The 2005 Energy Policy Act promoted the development of advanced clean energy technologies like nuclear power, hydro-electric power, and other renewable sources.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was a "Clean Energy Act" offering incentives and standards that are already paying dividends.

  • In 2007, three license applications for new nuclear plants were submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These new plants will be the first facilities brought online in over thirty years.
  • Production facilities based on new technologies, such as cellulosic ethanol plants, are being built using loan guarantees and incentives from EPACT.
  • Incentives have brought about significant investments in renewable power sources.

The Present

Did you know that Idaho...

...has the lowest carbon emissions "footprint" of any State?

...has the lowest electric power rates in the nation?

...has one of the fastest growing State economies?
Learn more about the SAFE Energy Act in my Energy Issue Briefing.

This Congress, Senator Byron Dorgan (D-SD) and I introduced the Security and Fuel Efficiency (SAFE) Energy Act of 2007. This critical legislation is focused on the transportation sector, and promises to reduce our dependence on foreign oil through greater domestic production of clean fuels and technologies. These clean fuels emit less carbon than traditional fossil fuels.

The Future

Our technology investments put us on the right track to meet the goals of protecting our standard of living, our global economic competitiveness, and our national security. Much more remains to be done.

  • A Clean Portfolio Standard would require a percentage of the nation's electricity generation to come from advanced clean sources, such as nuclear power, clean coal, hydropower, and other more efficient and renewable sources.
  • Improved management of our nation's forests could possibly double the current amount of carbon dioxide naturally trapped and sequestered by trees.

Proposals to impose carbon taxes through "capping and trading" carbon emissions could have serious consequences for future generations of Americans. The punitive measures of the Kyoto Protocol plague Europe, with little or no effect on the climate.

The United States was not the only nation to reject the Kyoto Protocol. China and India, two of the fastest growing global economies, rejected Kyoto because it would constrain economic growth.

It is clear that the rest of the world looks to the United States for leadership in the development and deployment of advanced technologies that provide both economic and environmental benefits. Now is the time for the U.S. to take advantage of this opportunity to lead the developing world into a brighter and cleaner future.

Legislation

Learn about Climate Change legislation which has been introduced in the Senate, by reviewing the list provided here. Each bill number serves as a link to Thomas, the legislative information resource offered by the Library of Congress. Click on a bill number to open a new window displaying pertinent information from the Thomas website about the bill, such as a summary, the full text, status, and cosponsors.

S.388
Climate Change Technology Deployment and Infrastructure Credit Act 2/15/2005
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out activities that promote the adoption of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas intensity and to provide credit-based financial assistance and investment protection for projects that employ advanced climate technologies or systems, to provide for the establishment of a national greenhouse gas registry, and for other purposes.
S.387
Climate Change Technology Tax Incentives Act 2/15/2005
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the investment in greenhouse gas intensity reduction projects, and for other purposes.
S.386
Climate Change Technology Deployment in Developing Countries Act 2/15/2005
To direct the Secretary of State to carry out activities that promote the adoption of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas intensity in developing countries, while promoting economic development, and for other purposes.
S.139
Climate Stewardship Act 1/9/2003
Provide for a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change, to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits to consumers from the trading in such allowances.
S.1293
Climate Change Tax Amendments of 2001 8/1/2001
Provide incentives for the voluntary reduction, avoidance, and sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions.
S.1294
Climate Change Risk Management Act of 2001 8/1/2001
A bill to establish a new national policy designed to manage the risk of potential climate change, ensure long-term energy security, and to strengthen provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 with respect to potential climate change.
S.1776
Climate Change Energy Policy Response Act 10/25/1999
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to revise the energy policies of the United States in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance global climate science, promote technology development, and increase citizen awareness.
S.1777
Climate Change Tax Amendments of 1999 10/25/1999
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for the voluntary reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to advance global climate science and technology development.
S.882
Energy and Climate Policy Act of 1999 4/27/1999
A bill to strengthen provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 with respect to potential Climate Change.

For the Record: Statements & Remarks


United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Opening Statement at Hearing on Lieberman-Warner Bill - November 8, 2007 (Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Round One of Q & A at Hearing on Lieberman-Warner Bill - November 8, 2007(Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Round Two of Q & A at Hearing on Lieberman-Warner Bill - November 8, 2007(Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate
Floor Speeach on the 2007 Fire Season - November 1, 2007 (Streaming Video - Windows Media)
United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Exchange with Al Gore regarding Climate Change - March 21, 2007 (Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Statement During Hearing on Climate Change -- January 30, 2007 (Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Statement During Hearing on the Geopolitics of Oil -- January 24, 2007 (Streaming Video - Real Media)
United States Senate
Floor Speech on Climate Change and Energy Production -- January 18, 2007 (Streaming Video - Windows)
Climate Change Conference
Speech to the G8+5 Climate Change Dialogue -- July 7, 2006
United States Senate
Remarks on the McCain/Lieberman Climate Change Amendment -- June 22, 2005
United States Senate
Remarks on the Hagel/Pryor Climate Change Amendment -- June 21, 2005
United States Senate
Remarks on S. 386, S. 387 and S. 388, a climate change legislation package - February 15, 2005
United States Senate
Remarks on S. 139, the Climate Stewardship Act. - October 30, 2003

Press Releases and Editorials