Friday
Apr242009
Congress Focuses On Global Warming Legislation
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 4:25PM
Former Vice President Al Gore testified before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment in support of "The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009." Describing the bill as "One of the most important pieces of legislation ever introduced to Congress," Gore called its passage a "moral imperative."
Gore cited recent research showing dangerous changes in climate due to man-made global warming including melting arctic ice, increased carbon in water, and extreme weather events.
The proposed bill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, will create a cap-and-trade limit on carbon emissions, meaning that companies will have to buy and sell the right to produce carbon, making it more economical to reduce carbon. The E.P.A.'s findings state that this bill will "transforms the structure of energy production and consumption, moving the U.S. to a clean energy economy."
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich also testified before the subcommittee, calling the bill a huge mistake. He explained that the bill imposes an energy tax, stating, "If you use electricity it punishes you, if you use heating oil it punishes you, if you use gasoline it punishes you. This bill will increase your cost of living." Gingrich worries that the U.S. will not be able to compete in a global economy if no other countries tax carbon.
However, Gore stated that he believes if the U.S. acts, the world will follow. Describing the moral significance as equal to that of civil rights legislation of the 1960's, he explained, "Passage of this legislation will restore America's leadership of the world and begin, at long last, to solve the climate crisis."
Gore cited recent research showing dangerous changes in climate due to man-made global warming including melting arctic ice, increased carbon in water, and extreme weather events.
The proposed bill, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, will create a cap-and-trade limit on carbon emissions, meaning that companies will have to buy and sell the right to produce carbon, making it more economical to reduce carbon. The E.P.A.'s findings state that this bill will "transforms the structure of energy production and consumption, moving the U.S. to a clean energy economy."
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich also testified before the subcommittee, calling the bill a huge mistake. He explained that the bill imposes an energy tax, stating, "If you use electricity it punishes you, if you use heating oil it punishes you, if you use gasoline it punishes you. This bill will increase your cost of living." Gingrich worries that the U.S. will not be able to compete in a global economy if no other countries tax carbon.
However, Gore stated that he believes if the U.S. acts, the world will follow. Describing the moral significance as equal to that of civil rights legislation of the 1960's, he explained, "Passage of this legislation will restore America's leadership of the world and begin, at long last, to solve the climate crisis."
Reader Comments (1)
"Gore *sited* (sic) recent research showing ..."
Is this a Freudian slip, as in Gore is siting his artillery on research critical of his position? Or did your really mean "cite"?
-Bruce