Doggett Bill Pushes Global Warming Solutions in House
Contact:
Nick Berning, 202-222-0748
Shawnee Hoover, 202-674-0922
Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder welcomed the announcement of a global warming bill authored by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) with the following statement:
“We welcome the introduction of another global warming bill in the House of Representatives and thank Congressman Doggett for his leadership. Congressman Doggett’s bill will provide a useful basis for discussion and debate as members of the House continue to grapple with different approaches to addressing the climate crisis.
“Representative Doggett’s bill appears to come much closer to the ideal of a 100 percent auction of pollution permits than did the global warming bill debated earlier this month in the U.S. Senate. Doggett’s bill also appears to embrace stronger emissions reduction targets than did the Senate bill by setting the IPCC’s recommended 80 percent reductions below 1990 levels by midcentury, although scientists are now calling for even deeper reductions.
“Another high point of Doggett’s bill is its effective approach to reducing emissions from the transportation sector, which is responsible for a third of America’s global warming pollution. The bill appears to invest significant resources in transportation policies that would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but would also help American families cope with high gasoline prices by expanding public transit options and other alternatives to driving.
“Although the emissions reductions are strong in Doggett’s bill, the allowance for polluters to meet their required reductions by purchasing international carbon offsets is problematic as it could undermine the bill’s ability to meet its reduction targets. U.S. polluters must be required to reduce their emissions here at home, where the American public suffers from the health impacts of their pollution.
“We plan to take a closer look and offer further comments before a hearing takes place. We look forward to working with Representative Doggett on his bill and other House members as Congress moves to effectively address the climate and energy crisis.”
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Friends of the Earth (foe.org) is the U.S. voice of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 70 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile efforts to create a more healthy, just world.