EPA Analysis Makes Case for Senate Action on Climate Bill

Statement by Kevin Knobloch, Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON (June 15, 2010) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) analysis of the American Power Act discussion draft, which the agency released today, shows the legislation would dramatically cut global warming pollution, lower household energy bills through 2030, and only marginally increase overall household costs between 2030 and 2050. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) called the bill “a low cost investment that would help create the clean energy jobs of the future and avoid the much higher costs of doing nothing.”

Below is a statement by Kevin Knobloch, president of UCS:

“The EPA's analysis removes the last excuse senators may have for not passing strong climate and energy legislation this session. We know the causes of global warming. The National Academy of Sciences recently confirmed that burning fossil fuels is the primary driver of climate change. And now we know that the Kerry-Lieberman bill would invest in a clean energy future at a minimal cost. That's not surprising. The National Academy of Sciences found that the economy would continue to grow substantially even when taking into account the costs of reducing emissions.

"Its analysis also spelled out what's at stake if we don't act. If Congress irresponsibly refuses to back up the commitments the administration made at the G8 and in Copenhagen, we would send a signal to other countries that inaction is acceptable - and we would lock in some of the worst effects of global warming. The EPA's analysis shows we're already perilously close to exceeding a 2 degree Celsius global temperature increase, which the world community set as a goal to avoid devastating consequences. As the global temperatures go up, so would the pain.

"Our country has just gotten a huge wake up call that we can't ignore, and Americans heartbroken by the damaging gusher in the Gulf of Mexico want Congress to rewrite our antiquated energy policy. Besides a fouled coastline of tragic dimensions, our outdated energy policy is bringing us warmer oceans, hotter global temperatures, and more extreme weather events. The longer Congress keeps us chained to the dark ages, the higher the costs of climate change will be. Americans want their national leaders to adopt policies that will dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels."

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C. To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.ucsusa.org