US Is 'Like An Ostrich,' Ignoring Climate Change

US Is 'Like An Ostrich,' Ignoring Climate Change - Sen. Kerry

Published: Apr 12, 2011

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.) called for Congress to act on energy policy Tuesday, saying the U.S. is "like an ostrich" with its head in the sand ignoring the dangers of climate change.

Kerry called for Congress to act on a clean-energy standard, backing a proposal put forward by the Obama administration to generate more electricity from what are known as clean power sources such as nuclear, natural gas, solar, and wind power.

He also said the U.S. needs to move forward with policies designed to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. Congress should "create demand," he said, "and watch the marketplace take off." The U.S. has failed to create demand for clean energy and was falling behind international competitors, who are attracting more private investment in the sector, he said.

Speaking to an audience at the National Press Club, Kerry also expressed frustration with what he called "unfettered amounts of money in the political system" that is driving the Washington agenda, including on energy policy.

"Money is setting the agenda in this city beyond anything I've seen in the years that I've been here," Kerry said.

-By Ryan Tracy, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9245; ryan.tracy@dowjones.com