Sen. John Kerry: Transforming Our Power

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-kerry/transforming-our-power_b_573303.html

John Kerry
U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
Posted: May 12, 2010 11:00 AM


Transforming Our Power

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The big details:

In the bill, we finally start to bring down carbon pollution by sending a clear price signal on that pollution. This market is tightly controlled, with only folks who need the permits able to buy the permits in the initial auction. No Wild West of speculation, no big banks coming in to buy up permits. Then the corporations who buy those permits can trade among themselves, so if a company makes great strides in bringing down their carbon pollution, they get the benefit of being able to sell off their permits, and if they don't, they need to buy more. It's simple, fair, and rewards those American companies who work hard to bring down their emissions of carbon pollution. And much of the proceeds of that carbon auction get sent straight to the American people, helping out consumers with their energy bills. Bottom line: it does what President Obama told the world we'd do -- it reduces greenhouse gas emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 2005 levels at 2050.

We also set up a tough, WTO-consistent border adjustment mechanism so that there won't be any "carbon leakage" of companies manufacturing things overseas in countries that don't manage their emissions. Imports from those countries will have to pay a fee at the border. This will protect American industry and make sure jobs stay here at home. And we threaded that needle in a way that President Obama can support -- you'll remember he was concerned about the way it's been handled in previous bills.

Next, we know we're in the middle of a major catastrophe in the Gulf, and we need to learn all the right lessons. The big lesson? Get us to the day when oil spills are infinitely less likely because we're not scrambling to pump every last barrel of oil out of every inch of the earth. You do that by transforming energy in America.

But there's more we do in the short term. This bill starts tightening up federal law around offshore drilling, adding two major reforms. First, any state can veto drilling less than 75 miles off their coast. Second, each new rig needs to be studied for the effects of any potential spill, and any state that could be affected has the right to call a halt to the project. This creates important local control over the beaches and waterways of our country.

And here's what I get excited about as a true-believer on climate and clean energy: We also make major new investments in clean energy research and production. We need to make our country a leader in the production of clean energy technology, from cars and batteries to wind and solar technology to technology we haven't even dreamed of yet. And we direct local, state and federal authorities to take carbon pollution into account when planning new transportation projects. With these new policies and the price signal on carbon pollution, we can finally end our oil addiction and give the wind, solar, and other clean fuels the level playing field they need to grow.

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My bottom line: Al Gore and I held the Senate's first climate change hearings in the Commerce Committee way back in 1988. Since then, precious little progress has been made and ground has been lost internationally, all while the science has grown more compelling. I can barely even count any more the number of international summits I've attended, or press conferences we've held after losing climate change votes in the Senate where our message was: "Next year, we can get this done -- don't give up on the United States or the Senate." Two Congresses ago, we had 38 votes for a bill. Last Congress, we had 54 votes for cloture out of 60 needed -- and we said then -- me, Joe, Barbara Boxer -- that this Congress we could get to 60 and pass a bill. Now we can do it -- if we find the will. And we damn well better, because I don't want to attend another event, this year or next year, where I have to look anyone in the eye again and say, "Next year we can do it."

No, this is the year. This is the moment. Half-measures won't cut it; now is the time for the full-court press to make it happen.

[flpoljunkie]

1. 'If not now, when? If not us, who?' Barack Obama

President Obama was speaking on healthcare, but it could not fit climate change legislation more.

[Mass]

2. Sadly, the bill will be weak, because most Democrats are not that into it.

Congratulation to Kerry to have gone this far, particularly given that, if it had been to him, the bill would be a lot better. But this bill is aimed at passing the Senate, and too many there are coal supporters.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Ah. The dysfunctional Senate--where good bills go to be watered down or die.

But, if we don't get it done, and soon--it may not happen until 2013--or at all.

[jtrockville]

3. So... Maryland could call a halt to drilling in the Gulf of Mexico?

From what I read in another topic here on DU, if the oil enters the Gulf Stream it could spread up the east coast: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8323386