WRI Strongly Supports Passage of Climate and Energy Bill

The World Resources Institute (WRI) strongly supports passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which is expected to reach a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

“Action is vital. Our current economic and energy systems are altering the global climate at an accelerating and dangerous rate,” said WRI President Jonathan Lash.

“The United States is home to the most entrepreneurial and innovative private sector in the world. By setting a price on greenhouse gas emissions, the bill provides a long-term roadmap for carbon reductions by sending a message to businesses and investors that there will be markets for low-carbon products and services. We cannot develop needed technology without this signal.

“This legislation offers a new economic platform on which Americans can work, compete and prosper. The international community awaits U.S. leadership. The GHG targets and additional provisions in this bill are a critical first step by the United States.”

WRI has a range of climate experts, available to speak to the media, who are researching different aspects of the bill. John Larsen and Robert Heilmayr can speak about the bill in general and have produced charts and analyses. Alexia Kelly is available for interviews regarding carbon offsets.

Some of the most encouraging aspects of the bill include:

• Reduction targets for more than 85 percent of the U.S. economy to reduce the country’s emissions 15 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, and 73 percent by 2050
• Between 2012 and 2025, approximately 75 percent of allowance value is directed to aid consumers or for other public benefits such as energy efficiency
• Funding is provided (3 percent in 2012, ramping up to 12 percent in 2027) for domestic and international adaptation. This funding is critical - especially for geographic areas threatened with climate impacts - and will help secure a global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009
• Funding (between 3 percent and 6 percent of allowance value over the life of the program) to develop low-carbon technologies and transform the auto sector

Lash added, “There are components of this bill that we feel need to be strengthened, and WRI looks forward to working with Congress - as a founding member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership - to make improvements as the legislative process progresses.

“I applaud Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Chairmen Waxman and Markey, and the many other clean energy and climate champions in the House of Representatives for their leadership. The clean energy economy envisioned in this bill will benefit Americans, and will help the United States live up to the commitment President George H. W. Bush made in Rio in 1992 to protect the climate.”