As the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill
nears a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, environmental groups
are "teetering at the edge of existential crisis," writes Josh
Harkinson. "Almost all environmental groups agree that Waxman-Markey is
far from ideal," but some are supporting it, while others "believe the
bill is so deeply flawed it might actually make matters worse." Critics
say the bill "lines the pockets of polluters with little to show for
it. The most it would cut carbon emissions by 2020 is 17 percent below
1990 levels, nowhere near the 25 to 40 percent reduction sought by
scientists and international climate negotiators." Other concerns are that the bill may decrease clean energy production, as it would overrule higher renewable mandates in states like California; it would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants;
and it would auction just 15 percent of emissions permits, giving a
whopping 50 percent "to the fossil fuel industry for free." Some
environmentalists blame the United States Climate Action Partnership,
"a coalition of industry and moderate environmental groups," for
sticking with a "quietly hammered out" agreement developed during the Bush administration. Others criticize President Obama,
"who spoke out in favor of auctioning off pollution permits during his
campaign ... but is now thought likely to sign whatever bill crosses
his desk." Meanwhile, the industry front group Cooler Heads Coalition is planning efforts to oppose the bill, with "scientific skeptics and legislative critics," reports Greenwire.
--
Paul Wilson
Sierra Club
504 Jefferson Ave
Charles Town, WV 25414-1130
Phone: 304-725-4360
Cell: 304-279-1361
"There is no forward until you have gone back" ~Buddha