Climate Capsule Week of June 15

Highlight of the Week

Momentum Continues: Boxer Plans Senate Cap-and-Trade Markup Before August Recess

As progress continues on the American Clean Energy & Security Act in the House, the Senate is preparing to review related global warming legislation before the August recess. 

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) announced last week that she plans to mark up major climate change legislation sometime during the week of Aug. 3. Boxer has already set aside July for public hearings on climate issues to help bring the Senate "up to speed." Bill markup and further hearings are slated to follow.

Boxer plans to use the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a House bill, as the basis for her legislation, but says she has not yet decided how much the two will differ. "I think you will see some differences, but it is basically similar," she said.  

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a 33 to 25 bipartisan vote. The legislation will establish a new energy policy in the U.S. that avoids continuing dependence on foreign oil and establishes a new domestic clean technology manufacturing base to supply wind, solar, and other renewable energy. 

Committee Chairman Henry Waxman announced this week that discussion of the bill with Democrats on the Agriculture and Ways and Means panels is subject to a self-imposed Wednesday deadline. "I don't see it should go any longer than that," he said.

The National Wildlife Federation's just-released ACES Toolbox analyzes the bill in terms of what's needed to build the clean energy economy and confront the climate crisis.

Contact: Tony Iallonardo at 202-797-6612 or iallonardot@nwf.org.

Federal Global Warming Report to Be Released

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is set to release a comprehensive report today on the impact of global warming in the United States.

The report culls the best available climate science to present a realistic, detail-oriented assessment of two divergent emissions scenarios:  one in which we continue to overload the atmosphere with global warming pollution by using outdated, dirty fossil fuels, and one in which we deploy clean technology like wind, clean cars, and more efficient energy use to reduce emissions, create jobs, and protect our children and grandchildren from the worst consequences of climate change.

According to Amanda Staudt, climate scientist, National Wildlife Federation, the report is sweeping in its implications: "It's a clarion call for immediate action," she said. "This report basically describes a state of emergency. It says we need to act quickly and decisively. Every state is going to be affected, and every sector of the economy."

Happening This Week

Tuesday, June 16: Hearing on flood protection and coastal restoration in Louisiana, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 02:30 PM, 406 Dirksen

Wednesday, June 17: Hearing on Arizona land exchange bill, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 2:30 PM, 366 Dirksen

Quote:

"We would like to do it before the August recess, that is correct."

— Senator Klobuchar (D-MN), confirming Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) plans to mark up major climate change legislation before the August recess.

Economic Message of the Week
Clean Energy Economy Generates Significant Job Growth

With legislators moving toward a powerful new statement on the future primacy of clean energy practices, the American job market appears to be following suit.

According to a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the number of jobs in America's clean energy economy grew nearly two and a half times faster than the number of overall jobs between 1998 and 2007. The Pew study represents the first empirical 50-state survey of recent clean energy job growth, as well as a potent indicator of the economy's direction in years to come.

Pew found that jobs in the clean energy economy grew at a national rate of 9.1 percent between 1998 and 2007, versus traditional job growth of just 3.7 percent. At the state level, a similar pattern emerged: clean energy economy job growth outpaced overall job growth in 38 states and the District of Columbia over the same period. The Pew report found that the clean energy sector stands to expand further in the future, prompted by raised consumer demand, venture capital additions, and policy reforms at the state and federal levels.

According to Pew, "a clean energy economy generates jobs, businesses and investments while expanding clean energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution, and conserving water and other natural resources."

Climate and Energy Bill Could Save Thousands of Dollars Per Household

A preliminary analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates that the American Clean Energy and Security Act could help save approximately $3,900 per household and generate scores of new jobs by 2030 by mandating more efficient energy production and usage.

According to the ACEEE, the savings that result from more efficient energy use will be reinvested locally, which will generate economic activity and produce about 650,000 jobs over the next 21 years. The transitional costs of cap-and-trade legislation will be mitigated by energy companies' efficiency investments, which will in turn help American consumers save money.

Conservation Leaders Gather

to Restore Iconic U.S. Waters

More than 100 conservation leaders from around the country met in New Orleans last week to push for the restoration of iconic U.S. waters such as the Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Louisiana, Florida Everglades, Great Lakes, Gulf of Maine, Long Island Sound, Puget Sound, and others.

“Restoring American’s great waters will benefit the country’s economy and environment—and will be vital in addressing the impacts of global warming,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, the host of the summit.

For more information on the conference, visit: http://online.nwf.org/watersummit