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Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act
Global warming stems from the release of carbon dioxide and other
heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, primarily when we burn
fossil fuels and clear forests. We are putting too much carbon in
the atmosphere, which results in problems ranging from extreme heat,
droughts, and storms to acidifying oceans and rising sea levels. To
help avoid the worst of these effects, the United States must play a
lead role and begin to cut its heat-trapping emissions today.
In September 2009, Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Boxer (D-CA) introduced
the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a bill that will rein
in global warming pollution and establish a cleaner approach to our
nation's energy system. In November 2009 the bill was passed out of
the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Since then,
Senators Graham (R-SC), Kerry (D-MA), and Lieberman (I-CT) have
emerged as leaders in the Senate to combine the Clean Energy Jobs
and American Power Act with other key climate and energy measures in
order to bring a comprehensive bill for a full Senate vote this
year.
Specifically, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:
Ensures Significant Emissions Reductions
The pollution limits proposed in the Clean Energy Jobs and American
Power Act will reduce global warming pollution 20 percent below 2005
levels by 2020 and 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. Creates the
Ability to Rapidly Adjust Policies in Response to Emerging Climate
Science. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act contains a
provision that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review technological
advancements and make recommendations to the administration. NAS
would also be charged with conducting a science review if the EPA
hasn’t done it. In response to the NAS recommendations, the EPA and
other agencies would be required to adjust certain aspects of the
policy. If the latest science indicates that we must accelerate or
deepen reductions, the president is required to propose legislative
changes for Congress to consider.
Enacts Complementary Energy and Transportation Policies
The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act takes a comprehensive
approach to climate and energy policy by packaging a limit on carbon
pollution with incentives for renewable energy and energy
efficiency. To make global warming pollution reductions more
affordable, the bill incorporates additional policies to increase
the efficiency of our buildings, homes, and transportation sector.
Protects Tropical Forests
The Clean Energy Jobs and America Power Act commits to providing
funding for developing countries to reduce their tropical
deforestation. The bill creates a limit on how much global warming
pollution can be emitted. Companies must purchase permits from the
government to emit specified amounts of pollution. This creates a
financial incentive for companies to pursue clean, efficient
technologies, because they can save money by purchasing fewer
permits, or make money by selling their permits to other polluters.
The bill invests 5 percent of the revenue from these sales of
permits in programs that prevent tropical deforestation. Tropical
deforestation accounts for about 15 percent of global warming
pollution worldwide. The world cannot reduce emissions to the levels
deemed safe by science without including the protection of tropical
forests as a part of the solution.
Paves the Way for an International Climate Treaty
The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act provides for elements
that will be essential to ensuring a global solution. In addition to
demonstrating U.S. leadership on climate action, the bill commits
assistance to fund international adaptation and clean technologies
for developing nations. These are crucial elements in our climate
negotiations with other countries.
Areas for Improvement
While the current bill sets us on a course to create a clean energy
economy, we will keep working to ensure that final legislation
achieves the greatest possible amount of consumer savings and clean
energy jobs by maximizing energy efficiency and renewable
electricity.
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