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| NRCM Deputy Director Lisa Pohlmann |
| PAST ISSUES |
In each Maine Environment newsletter, Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM's Deputy Director, updates you on federal action affecting Maine's environment. You can read past newsletters' columns by clicking on the menu on the right.
Gulf Disaster Points to Need for Climate Legislation
As people across the nation celebrated the 40th Earth Day, the Gulf Coast oil spill that took the lives of 11 people was quickly turning into one of the nation’s worst ever environmental disasters. Combined with the West Virginia coal mine disaster that took the lives of 29 miners, and a Kentucky coal mine accident a few weeks later that killed two more, we have even more evidence that our current energy system is badly broken.
The root cause of these disasters is our reliance on 19th century, dirty energy sources. Congress needs to stop delaying and pass a clean energy and climate bill this year. We need to move to clean, renewable 21st century energy sources that protect the health of our environment, people, and wildlife. We need the boost to Maine’s economy with the good jobs that new clean energy investments will bring and stop sending our hard-earned dollars to hostile nations that threaten our security.
NRCM and our coalition partners
have been sending this message loud
and clear to our two senators for months.
Faith leaders, health professionals,
veterans, legislators, economists,
over 500 business leaders, and Maine
citizens have been sending this message
through letters to the editor and in radio
and television interviews. They’ve sent
the message in hundreds of letters and
phone calls directly to Senator Snowe
and Senator Collins. The Senators say
they have heard us.
If ever there was a time for Maine to lead the nation, this is it. Maine’s senators can help end the Senate gridlock by using their significant leverage to move a comprehensive climate and energy bill forward and get it passed this year. We need to emerge from the current disasters with a clear federal policy framework for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels through passage of comprehensive energy and climate legislation.
- Lisa Pohlmann, Deputy Director
From Copenhagen Back to Congress: Senate Action on Climate Needed Now - Winter 2010
Leaders from 193 nations-- the largest single meeting by world leaders in history— came together in Copenhagen in December to negotiate an international agreement to reduce global carbon emissions. With America’s leadership, the countries forged an Accord that marked a significant step forward in tackling global climate change.
The summit laid the foundation for a binding international climate change treaty later this year (to be held in Mexico City), including emissions targets, a mechanism for international climate finance, and transparency with regard to international commitments. While the Accord did not deliver everything some hoped for, there were several key developments that should create strong momentum for additional international and domestic action on clean energy and climate protection. It is now imperative for the U.S. Congress to build on that foundation. The Senate must pass their version of a climate and energy bill soon.
Senator Susan Collins has stepped up in a leadership role by co-sponsoring the CLEAR act with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). This bill features new ideas to consider in the structuring of the climate bill, which will join others advanced by Senators Kerry, Lieberman, and Graham. Senators Collins and Snowe have also recently declined to join efforts in Congress to weaken EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. They continue to demonstrate their commitment to take action on climate and we are counting on them to help move the debate forward.
Here in Maine we are keeping the pressure on through our coalition efforts to communicate regularly with the delegation, bring citizen voices forward, and meet with community leaders all over the state to discuss the benefits of federal climate legislation for Maine’s economy and job growth, natural resource adaptation and protection, and energy independence. We all must stay focused! There is no greater act we could take this year to protect Maine’s environment.
NRCM is promoting the following key issues for the final federal climate bill:
- A cap on carbon that reduces emissions at least 20% over 2005 levels by 2020, and 80% by 2050. Science tells us this is the minimum requirement to reduce the rate of climate change.
- Investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy from revenues generated from a climate bill, as well as investments to reduce the impact on low-income households and to mitigate climate change impacts our on natural resources.
- Maintain or strengthen existing authority under the Clean Air Act for the Environmental Protection Agency to establish limits for global warming emissions from coal plants.
Washington Watch - Fall 2009
The federal energy and climate debate has moved to the Senate, where a bill was introduced in late September. Sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer, the Clean Energy Jobs and Power Act builds upon the House of Representatives’ bill that passed in June. The Senate bill combines strong global warming pollution reduction goals with investments to create new, good-paying jobs; deploy clean, renewable energy, and save consumers money through energy efficiency. It also seeks to safeguard our natural resources and people from the impacts of global warming that are already occurring. The bill sets a stronger mid-term cap than the House bill and maintains full EPA authority to regulate carbon emissions.
NRCM has continued to work with 20 partner organizations to bring attention to this issue in Maine, including through direct communications with the offices of Senator Snowe and Senator Collins. In addition to other media work, we recently held a press conferences on new survey data we collected from clean energy businesses in Maine and their potential for job creation from public investments like those advanced in the House and Senate bills. Sportsmen, farmers, veterans, clergy, health professionals, business owners, and hundreds of other Maine citizens have come forward in the last few months to send a strong message to our Senators that Maine people want them to vote for climate and energy legislation.
The Senate bill has started to attract bi-partisan support. We need Maine’s Senators to join the effort by once again showing their commitment to protect Maine’s environment from catastrophic climate change and to boost Maine’s economy through the clean energy jobs that will be generated if Congress acts.
President Obama has signaled strong support for passing comprehensive climate and energy legislation. As leaders from around the world gather in Copenhagen in December to negotiate an international response to this global crisis, it is critical that we show the international community that America is ready to lead the way. Senators Snowe and Collins could cast the deciding votes. They need to hear from all of us. Please write your local Senate offices and ask the Senators to lead on the passage of energy and climate legislation. This is the most important environmental issue we will face in our lifetimes. We cannot afford to wait.
A Clean Energy Jobs Plan for Maine’s Future - Summer 2009
On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), the most important environmental policy of our time. The bill caps carbon emissions, makes investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency that will create jobs, and provides price protections for consumers related to the bill. As we create incentives for more energy-efficient ways of doing business, Maine will see new industries created, and we will regain our competitive edge in the fast-growing clean energy sector gaining momentum around the world.
ACES creates investment funding through the sale of carbon credits to polluting industries. This combination of ACES and the federal stimulus package would bring a net increase of $600 million in investment revenue and 10,000 clean energy jobs to Maine. We have Maine Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree to thank for supporting the ACES bill. In so doing, they demonstrated important leadership and a genuine concern for the best interests of Maine people.
Now the Senate is working on its version of climate change legislation, slated for a vote this fall. Ideally, a strong bill will be approved by both houses and signed by President Obama before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December. We are poised to join the international community in a shared commitment to take action. Since the U.S. has historically been the largest emitter of global warming emissions in the world, it is high time.
Maine’s Senator Snowe and Senator Collins are key votes, and we are counting on them to follow in Maine’s strong tradition of environmental leadership. We need them to help pass climate change legislation this year in order to jumpstart the Maine economy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect Maine from the harmful and growing impacts of global warming pollution.
ACES is a critical step in the right direction, but more can be done in the Senate to strengthen the bill. Greater investments in energy efficiency could be achieved by requiring that at least one-third of allowances going to electricity utilities be used for energy efficiency and by shaving allocations from fossil fuel producers – especially coal plants and oil refineries. The EPA authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon emissions must be retained in relation to all industries, including coal and oil. Finally, a cap-and-trade program is only one part of the solution to climate change.
In order to reach our goals of significant carbon reduction, it needs to be carried out in conjunction with the establishment of programs in four clean energy areas: a renewable electricity standard, an energy efficiency portfolio standard, new efficiency standards for buildings and vehicles, and aid for clean energy development in developing countries.
NRCM will keep our members informed as this energy legislation continues to move in Washington, including when, where, and how best to make your voice heard.
