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US climate change bill passes first hurdle
The US House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee has approved the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, which could be the country’s first climate change legislation if enacted.
However, the bill could be subject to approval by other House committees before a vote in front of the full House later in the year. According to reports, Senate leaders say that they will pass the bill in its current form.
The legislation would introduce a cap-and-trade system and establish new efficiency standards for buildings, lighting and industry. It would also target a 17% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 and an 83% reduction by 2050. Energy suppliers would also be required to generate 15% power from renewable sources by 2020.
Unsurprisingly, the bill has received mixed support. Some manufacturers and utilities support the bill as a ‘least bad’ option, while environmental organisations have criticised the legislation for not going far enough.
Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, however, says the landmark legislation will provide businesses with the certainty they need to invest in a clean energy future.
“The House Energy and Commerce Committee [has] achieved something extraordinary – passage of a bill that sets us on a path to tackle climate change, drive our economic recovery, and advance our energy independence,” she commented.
“The ACES Act combines ambitious but achievable greenhouse gas emission reduction targets with a market-based program that will reward business leaders for deploying clean energy technologies as quickly and inexpensively as possible,” she says.
The bill will also allow the US to help lead efforts towards global agreement on action to address climate change, she says, which will be crucial for this December’s Copenhagen meeting.
For further information:
waxman.house.gov/
markey.house.gov/
energycommerce.house.gov/
www.house.gov/
www.pewclimate.org/
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