You can do better than this. Try again.<\/p>\n
UPDATE: Here is the bill’s website where you can download summaries and the entire bill.<\/p>\n
The new energy\/climate bill, called The American Power Act,\u00a0 is now live on Senator Kerry’s website. Don’t get excited, it’s not going to stop climate change. But it might pass and if so, it might set up a structure to get a much-needed price on carbon. Here is the scoop earlier today from the Huffington Post, via the Wonk Room, via the AP . . . .<\/p>\n
“We obtained this document from Think Progress’ The Wonk Room.<\/p>\n
The AP has summarized some of the key points to the bill:<\/p>\n
The legislation aims to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and more than 80 percent by 2050.<\/p>\n
For the first time it would set a price on carbon emissions for large polluters such as coal-fired power plants. Rates initially would range from $12 per ton of carbon emissions to $25 per ton, depending on market prices. Restrictions would not take effect until 2013 for power plants and transportation fuels, and 2016 for manufacturers.<\/p>\n
Allowances would be granted to local electricity companies, which would be required to use them to help rate payers. In addition, a separate consumer relief provision would provide rebates to eligible families.<\/p>\n
Kerry and Lieberman said the bill would exempt farms and most small and medium-sized businesses, concentrating efforts on the largest polluters.”<\/p>\n
Read the full AP summary here.<\/p>\n
The AP also notes that the bill contains a provision that will allow neighboring states to veto offshore drilling leases.<\/p>\n
Oh come on, that’s not enough. There are going to be parts of this bill that most people will hate, and other parts that I like that others will not. I don’t like encouraging the use of natural gas,\u00a0 and I like the money for nuclear power.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But this part of it should be universally hated, in my opinion:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“Ensuring Coal’s Future<\/p>\n
* We empower the U.S. to lead the world in the deployment of clean coal technologies through annual incentives of $2 billion per year for researching and developing effective carbon capture and sequestration methods and devices.
\n * We also provide significant incentives for the commercial deployment of 72 GW of carbon capture and sequestration.”<\/p>\n
Horrifying!!\u00a0 This bill needs to be totally re-thought.\u00a0 What is the purpose here, to keep using all fossil fuels until they are gone? To spend all our money on doing that rather than the obvious turn towards the future, towards solar and wind power?<\/p>\n
Let’s be blunt:\u00a0 These old men in the Senate are taking us backwards yet again, by slapping new technology onto old.\u00a0\u00a0 Finding new ways to do something dangerous and damaging to lessen the impact a little does not work.\u00a0 [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You can do better than this. Try again. UPDATE: Here is the bill’s website where you can download summaries and the entire bill. The new energy\/climate bill, called The American Power Act,\u00a0 is now live on Senator Kerry’s website. Don’t … Continue reading