Friends Of The Earth: Senate Energy Bill Disappoints On Global Warming

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0622-12.htm

Senate Energy Bill Disappoints on Global Warming

WASHINGTON - JUNE 22 - Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder issued the following statement in response to last night's passage of the Senate energy bill:

"The Senate energy bill is a major disappointment. The bill takes baby steps toward halting global warming when giant leaps are required and possible.

"The bill doesn't set minimum requirements for the use of wind and solar energy, it doesn't cut billions in unnecessary subsidies for big oil, and its biofuels provisions lack environmental safeguards and could result in deforestation that makes global warming worse. This legislation barely moves the ball forward in getting the country to the 80 percent cut in global warming emissions by 2050 that scientists say is necessary to avoid catastrophe.

"The legislation includes a few improvements to our energy policy, such as increased efficiency requirements for federal buildings and new automobile fuel economy standards. But those improvements could hardly be called a serious approach to global warming. The fuel economy standards, for example, increase efficiency from 25 to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, but plug-in hybrid technology that can get 100 miles per gallon exists today. Plus, the new fuel economy standards can be waived by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"If this is the best that the Senate can achieve, it may be best for the nation to let the states lead. We hope that Speaker Pelosi and her team will take a bolder approach as the House considers its energy policy in coming weeks."

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Adding my comments from another thread on this bill, and thank you Friends of the Earth:

Firstly, if this country is even having presidential elections between then and now, four other "administrations" will be installed giving plenty of time for this to be thrown out. Secondly, 2020 is not a good enough timeframe considering that the facts show that we only have TEN years to avoid closing the window on being able to control the effects of the CO2 already up in our atmosphere and saturating our oceans, and as long as they are pushing cars that run on OIL it does nothing. Thirdly, 35 MPG in this day and age frankly SUCKS. Cars can get 80 miles to the gallon and the technology is out here NOW, but God forbid the bought and sold Congress on any side actually have the GUTS to put a bill like that out here now to save this planet.

I am tired of people telling me that it is a "good start." We should not just be "starting," we need to MOVE because we ARE in a planetary emergency right NOW. That is not just some political soundbite. It is a very accurate description by scientists who actually know what the hell is going on out here. This is just like the lack of reasoning used regarding Iraq. Just put something out there that they think appeals to the masses just to look good in an "election" year that does absolutely NOTHING to stop CO2 emissions NOW without even looking at the evidence that proves it is not a good move on the whole considering the circumstances, all because their benefactors don't want to give up their precious freaking gold bars. They can spend BILLIONS ON WAR NOW though, but then say f888 this planet.

Al Gore is right. You cannot depend on the federal political system in this country to do this the way it needs to be done NOW and to exhibit the MORAL COURAGE it will take to face this crisis NOW. It is the PEOPLE who will have to be informed enough first to understand that this is not good enough and it is only something done to placate them in lieu of cowing down to the oil and automobile industries that line their campaign coffers. Until WE the people BREAK THAT SPELL first, there will never be a bill coming out of the DC abyss worth even giving a damn about.

Thanks for posting.