Officials testify that climate bill would reduce
emissions
Oct. 28
A climate bill under debate in the Senate would reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, create jobs and boost the economy at a minimal cost to the
public, according to Senate testimony from key Obama administration
officials.
However, Republicans on the Senate environment committee and at least
one Democrat reacted with skepticism yesterday to testimony about the
Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a bill that includes a
cap-and-trade provision on greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, testifying on behalf of the bill, told
senators that the current level of greenhouse gas emissions is
unsustainable and world leaders are committed to deploying clean energy
technologies.
The bill calls for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020
and a more than 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chairs the environment committee, said
EPA estimates the bill will cost American consumers less than 30-cents
per day.
However, Republicans rejected the administrationīs cost estimates,
saying no one understands the true costs associated with the bill
because the EPA has failed to conduct a thorough cost analysis.
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla, the ranking member of the environment
committee, called the bill "a massive new tax on consumers that will
have virtually no affect on climate."
Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Chairman Jon Wellinghoff and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., a
sponsor of the bill, testified before the committee yesterday.
Committee hearings on Senate Bill 1733 are scheduled to run through
Thursday with 54 witnesses scheduled to testify.
Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at
330-865-6172 or
bgeiselman@crain.com
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