Senators urge US to take more active role in climate change talks

Washington (Platts)--6Dec2005

Two dozen US senators are urging the Bush administration to take a more
active role in global climate discussions this week in Montreal, saying the
Senate is already working toward mandatory commitments for reductions in
greehouse gases. 

     The US and 188 other nations are meeting until Dec 9 to discuss potential
action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

     In a letter sent to the president Monday, the senators said any
"deliberate decision by the administration not to engage in such discussions,
solely because they may include the topic of future binding emissions
reductions requirements, is inconsistent with the obligations of the United
States as set forth in the UNFCCC treaty."

     The senators also reiterated the chamber's support for a
mandatory-market-based system to limit emissions of greenhouse gases from
industry as demonstrated by the 53-44 vote in June on a "sense of the Senate"
resolution for such a program. And the senators--which included Democrats and
Republicans-- projected that "it is only a matter of time before Congress
takes such action."

     "The United States Senate is on the path towards requiring mandatory
commitments and reductions of greenhouse gases and supports working through
and alongside the Framework Convention process," wrote the senators, led by
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Democrat Jeff Bingaman
of New Mexico and Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Chairman Olympia Snowe (Republican-Maine). 

     Other Republicans signing the letter included Senate Governmental
Affairs Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins of Maine, Sen John McCain of
Arizona and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee Ranking Member Jim Jeffords (Independent-Vermont) also signed
the letter.

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