Today
marks a turning point in fight against global warming. We commend
Senator Jeffords for introducing the Global Warming Pollution Reduction
Act, the long-term solution to global warming. This bill comes not a
moment too soon to address one of the most profound issues of our time.
We
are truly grateful to Senator Jeffords for his dogged advocacy for the
environment and, in particular, for introducing this bill. No senator
has done more to protect the environment in this Congress than Senator
Jeffords, and this bill now sets the stage for the future.
Climate
scientists warn that the world faces dire consequences unless we
immediately and significantly reduce emissions of the pollutants that
cause global warming.
The
Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act rises to the challenge by
reducing U.S. emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (a 15% reduction from
today’s levels) and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. To achieve these
emission reductions, the bill calls for a greater reliance on clean,
renewable energy and improved energy efficiency.
By
investing now in energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy, the
U.S. can cut its emissions while reducing our dependence on scarce
fossil fuels and, in many cases, creating jobs and saving money. The
result would be a cleaner, more sustainable foundation on which to
build America’s economy for the 21st century.
In
addition to Senator Jeffords, we applaud the other cosponsors of the
bill, including Barbara Boxer (CA), Frank Lautenberg (NJ), Edward
Kennedy (MA), Jack Reed (RI), Daniel Akaka (HI), Chris Dodd (CT),
Patrick Leahy (VT), Paul Sarbanes (MD), and Robert Menendez (NJ).
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