Scientists, economists, business
and environmental leaders and legislators show support for Global Warming
Solutions Act
Boston, MA (July 22, 2008) Business and
environmental leaders joined legislators today to urge House members to pass
the Global Warming Solutions Act before the end of the legislative session. The
bill requires a cap on emissions from all sources and a framework to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, based on
1990 levels.
The event, hosted by the Massachusetts Climate Coalition,
aimed to focus attention on broad support from legislators, economists,
scientists, environmental advocates, business leaders, students and academics
who support the greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates forming the
cornerstone of the Global Warming Solutions Act.
The call to action is bolstered by letters of support from
dozens of business leaders and national environmental organizations and 111
House members calling for passage of the bill.
The emissions reduction targets in the bill match those in the U.S.
Scientists and Economists' Call for
Swift and Deep Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Emissions issued in May and signed by
more than 1,700 leading U.S.
scientists and economists, including 145 in Massachusetts.
“Scientists tell us that climate change now threatens the
lives and livelihoods of future generations,” said Dr. Frank Ackerman, an
economist at Tufts
University's Global Development and Environment Institute.
“How can we say we can't afford to
do enough, soon enough, to prevent a climate disaster? Leaving a sustainable,
livable Earth to our children and grandchildren is not one special interest
among many -- rather, it is the purpose of our economic activity, the principal
reason for our hard work, savings, and investments. That's
why we need swift and deep cuts in
emissions, in Massachusetts
and throughout the nation.”
“The science is clear: To prevent the worst effects of
global warming we have to cut our global warming pollution on the order of 20
percent by 2020 and 80 percent by mid-century,” said John Rogers, senior energy
analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, which compiled the Scientists and Economists' Call on behalf of the statement endorsers.
“The Global Warming Solutions Act is right on target.”
-- more --
Not only will a strong cap on carbon help to save the
environment, it will help to spur economic growth throughout the Commonwealth.
“Carbon policy such as that proposed in the MA Global Warming Solutions Act
will help enable Massachusetts
to lead the world in the clean energy economy of the 21st
century," said Dave Miller from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
The Senate-approved Global Warming Solutions Act, sponsored
by Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), would implement far-reaching greenhouse
gas reductions, spur job creation throughout the Commonwealth and secure a
competitive edge for Massachusetts
in the budding “green” economy, a multi-billion dollar industry.
“The Global Warming Solutions Act establishes the framework
and far-reaching reduction standards necessary to preserve and protect the
Commonwealth’s environment and economy for future generations,” said Senator
Pacheco, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.
“This legislation will secure a competitive edge for Massachusetts
in the new “green” economy, sending a strong message to investors,
entrepreneurs, and developers worldwide that Massachusetts is committed to being a leader
in global warming and climate change solutions.”
In order to meet these standards, the bill authorizes state
agencies to adopt regulations that reduce energy use, increase efficiency and
encourage renewable energy sources in the sectors of energy generation,
buildings and transportation. The legislation requires the Department of
Environmental Protection to establish a statewide registry of facilities that
emit greenhouse gases.
"Global warming is the most pressing environmental
problem facing this state, the country and the world. With the
enactment of the “Green Communities Act”, Massachusetts has demonstrated strong
leadership by developing an energy policy that will reduce emissions through
energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and participation in the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative,” said Representative Frank Smizik, chairman
of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Natural
Resources. “Additionally, we have
increased opportunities for offshore wind with the passage of the oceans
planning law. These energy strategies
address only part of the problem.
Statewide caps would address additional areas of concern, and
provide necessary reductions in CO2 emissions resulting from
the building and transportation sectors."
As July nears an end, public support for the Global Warming
Solutions act continues to be strong. "Our grassroots organizers have
generated over 20,000 public comments to House members in support of the
GWSA" Said Ben Wright, Global Warming Advocate with Environment Massachusetts
"The public, in addition to the scientists and national leaders
highlighted today, is overwhelmingly supportive of swift action to stop global
warming."
-- more --
"If
we wait until federal legislation caps greenhouse gases for us, then the bulk
of Massachusetts
businesses will simply move with the crowd," said Nick d'Arbeloff, Executive Director of the New England
Clean Energy Council. "If we pass the Global Warming Solutions Act, Massachusetts employers
will be ahead of the pack, streamlining their operations in advance of the
federal mandate, and gaining first-mover advantage in their respective markets.
Bottom line, we believe that Massachusetts
employers will ultimately be stronger and healthier competitors as a result of
this legislation."
The
Global Warming act also mandates the following:
- Power plants have to meet
a standard of 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per mega-watt hour
for approval of construction or expansion projects;
- The DEP must adopt a Low
Carbon Fuel Standard for motor vehicle fuels, in collaboration with our
state partners in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to ensure a 10
percent reduction in carbon content by 2020;
- The Secretary of Energy
and Environmental Affairs will conduct a climate-change impact study on
the adaptation of terrestrial and marine habitats.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sue
Reid (CLF), 617-722-1740
Ben
Wright (Environment MA), 617-747-4313
John
Rogers (UCS), 617-547-5552
Nancy
Goodman (ELM), 617-742-2553
Rob
Garrity (MCAN), 508-878-3481
Lilah
Glick (CWA), 617-338-8131 x202
###
