Senate Republicans Wary Of Possible Climate Change Pledge In Copenhagen

Meagan Wiseley - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

While President Barack Obama is taking the Environmental Protection Agency's ruling of the dangers and the toxicity of CO2 emissions and greenhouse gasses (GHGs) to Copenhagen climate change conference, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) told reporters Thursday that the Senate must ratify any proposed climate change pledge that President Barack Obama will make during his visit.

“Any action that would be binding on the U.S., in the form of an international agreement, will of course have to be ratified by the U.S. Senate,” Kyl said at a press conference Thursday.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) spoke out against the possibility of the EPA and President Obama making any law on CO2 emissions or climate change.

“We’re not going to allow the Executive Branch or the Environmental Protection Agency, through the Clean Air Act or any other act, appropriate themselves the power to make laws to govern the people of the U.S.,” Graham said.

Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she will file a resolution of disapproval in hopes of stopping the EPA from regulating GHGs.

Boxer: America Is Taking Action On Climate Change

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

As leaders from across the world converge in Copenhagen for climate change talks, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) a lead proponent in climate change, explained Monday that America has been making changes that the rest of the world should follow.

“Take a look at America, because what you see, will please you,” Boxer said.

Boxer stressed in her remarks that America has stepped up their efforts from the state and local government fronts, to consumer and private sectors.

“A [California] 2006 law requires action to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020... The California Air Resources Board produced its first cap-and-trade blueprint,” said Boxer. “The actions by states are powerful evidence that our states are committed to participating in the clean energy transformation."

She also spoke on recent actions by the Obama Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency who released findings that confirmed global warming presents a danger to people and the environment.

"The Clean Air Act provides EPA with powerful tools for addressing greenhouse gases, and the Supreme Court found it is their responsibility," Boxer said. “The Obama Administration has done the right thing for the nation, for the planet and if you listen to our business community for the economy."

Boxer said she is deeply concerned that “Personal” events on climate change could “Get in the way of science”. She explained that nothing from the stolen emails in the “Climate Gate” saga has contradicted the overwhelming science.

“The science is clear, the challenge is real, and the time to act is now... Our nation will be a full participant in crafting a global solution to this global challenge,” Boxer said.

Commerce And Energy Departments Teaming To Promote Green Inventions

By Julianne LaJeunesse - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

In an effort to provide jobs and more boost to the economy, U.S. Energy and Commerce Secretaries Steven Chu and Gary Locke teamed on Monday to unveil plans to grant up to $100 million in Recovery Act (ARRA) funds to eligible “green” businesses, and to provide at least 3,000 entrepreneurs an expedited patent process if their inventions address climate and emission challenges.

Chu explained that ARRA money for the initiative will come from ARPA-E funding, which he says began as an outgrowth of a 2005 University of California Berkley report. Chu was a contributor to that study, which is now a Department of Energy funding program.

“I’m announcing $100 million dollars in Recovery Act funding to accelerate innovation in green technology through RBE,” Chu said. “This project solicitation focuses on three cutting-edge technologies that could have transformation impact.”

To get the grants, those three technologies will need to provide or create liquid fuels that convert carbon dioxide into fuels, innovative materials and processes for advanced carbon capture technologies and/or low-cost electric vehicle battery technology that can improve energy by as much as five times.

Locke called today’s announcement of a patent pilot program an example of President Obama’s commitment to “making sure the next Silicon Valley, and the jobs that come with it, are located right here in America.”

Locke emphasized the need for U.S. competitiveness, saying that only one in five alternative energy companies are based in the country, and that by giving entrepreneurs a quick outlet through the pilot, American inventors will be given “every advantage to commercialize and thrive in this green energy sector.”

Those eligible for an expedited patent process must have patents pending that either enhance environmental quality, can conserve resources, discover renewable resources and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property David Kappos said the pilot program is expected to decrease patent waiting times by an average of 12 months, adding that the current patent process takes about 40 months.

“Although the pilot will be open to 3,000 applicants,” Kappos said, “if [it is] successful, we will look to expand upon it further down the road.”

The two initiatives released today coincided with the beginning of the 11-day United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, as well as a major Environmental Protection Agency announcement declaring that the Obama administration will begin to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Obama May Disappoint At Copenhagen

Travis Martinez-University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

As the climate change summit in Copenhagen looms, analysts believe Obama’s efforts may end in disappointment.

Following Congress’ failure to finalize climate change legislation, it appears that the president will be showing up empty handed.

“My grandmother used to say ‘whenever you visit someone you shouldn’t come empty handed.’ As the American delegation heads to Copenhagen, they don’t have the legislation that they wanted or regulations towards some step of climate regulation,” said Ben Lieberman, Senior Policy Analyst with the Heritage Foundation, during a panel discussion at the National Press Club. “This time, the strategy was to get much more done domestically and then go to Copenhagen to make it international. As we know the bill has stalled in the Senate and it faces an uncertain future.”

Lieberman added that the formation of a significant treaty at the Summit is also unlikely.

“China and other fast developing nations, mainly China, don’t want binding and verifiable targets. The U.S. and other nations from the developed World have already come to the realization that emissions growth from these nations is growing so fast that exempting them would make a treaty almost pointless,” said Lieberman.

Lieberman called an EPA announcement earlier today declaring carbon dioxide a pollutant a “consolation prize” and “first stage of regulation beyond getting legislation.”

Greenhouse Gases Threaten Human Health Declares EPA

Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced on Monday that her department will now be able to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

“I’m proud to announce that EPA has finalized its endangerment finding on greenhouse gas pollution...[and] is now authorized and obligated to make reasonable efforts to reduce greenhouse pollutants under the Clean Air Act,” said Jackson.

The Clean Air Act, which was passed by Congress in 1970, allowed federal and state governments the ability to regulate emissions.

Moments after Jackson's announcement, the EPA posted the following statement on its website: “After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people."

Supporters of climate legislation lauded the announcement. In a statement issued following Jackson's remarks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "The EPA has thoroughly reviewed the scientific literature on climate change, which spans decades of research across a breadth of disciplines and across the globe. The science is clear: global warming is real, its impacts are being felt around the world, and carbon emissions present a danger to public health and the economy worldwide."

Critics of both the climate bill passed by the House earlier this year and the one being looked at in the Senate questioned the timing of today's announcement, arguing that it was heavily motivated by President Barack Obama's visit next week to Copenhagen where he will take part in a major summit on climate change.

“This is nothing more than an attempt by the administration to build international support for a binding political agreement in Copenhagen. It seems liberal Democrats will stop at nothing to overcome the strong objections of the American people to a cap and tax system. Today’s decision will kill even more jobs at a time when more than 15 million workers are unemployed," said House Republican Conference Chairman Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.).