Climate Crisis Vote

A reply to the NRDC:

This Waxman bill is heinous, and will inflict much economic hardship on all Americans. The Heritage Foundation estimates it will add thousands of dollars to the cost of an average Americans energy. And this cost is added for no reason, as CO2 is not pollution. I thought this organization was created for the defense of natural resources, of which CO2 contributes nothing to the destruction of those. I would rather you concentrate on real pollution, like SO2. And furthermore, please concentrate on real calamadies, like the cutting down of the rainforests.

Please, stop sending me this nonsense based on the HOAX of Global Warming.

Dear Mr. Punky,

Last month on Earth Day, President Obama called for "comprehensive legislation to move toward energy independence and prevent the worst consequences of climate change." Last night the House Energy and Commerce Committee took a large step toward fulfilling his call by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act, HR 2454.

This bill, written by Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), lays the foundation for a vital 21st century economy fueled by cleaner energy. It places an economy-wide cap on carbon pollution that would reduce emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050; requires utilities to generate about a fifth of all energy from renewable sources by 2020; invests in energy efficiency, cleaner vehicles and carbon capture technology; and much, much more.

The vote was the culmination not just of a week of marathon debate on the bill, but months of negotiation and years of planning, strategizing and mobilizing. Even before Rep. Waxman and Rep. Markey released their first draft in late March, an incredible team of NRDC experts from our Climate Center, Energy Program and Center for Market Innovation were working with congressional staff and our allies on the Hill on policy details that shaped this nearly thousand-page bill.

Along with our partners in the environmental community we spent a good portion of the past year preparing for the new administration and Congress and building a major campaign operation in more than 20 states to advance our top priorities on climate and energy. Today's victory is a validation of that work.

This victory is significant, but it is just the beginning of the huge effort that lies ahead to get a strong bill to the President's desk. Over the next couple months the bill is expected to be referred to eight other House committees before going to the floor for a vote. While some committees do not plan on scrutinizing the bill, others will consider it carefully, so our team will be tracking these deliberations closely. If everything goes as planned and the bill passes the floor vote, then the Senate will take up the bill in the fall and we start all over again.

I look forward to working with you and other NRDC online activists toward a signing ceremony at the White House in the near future.

Sincerely,
Frances Beinecke
President
Natural Resources Defense Council