U.S. Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works
 
Senator Boxer Charts Road Ahead on Global Warming
 
 
Washington, DC – In a speech at the National Press Club today, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, outlined the steps the Environmental Protection Agency should take immediately to address global warming.  She also discussed new developments in the Senate on legislation to address global warming pollution, and steps individuals can take to reduce their own contributions to global warming pollution. 
 
Senator Boxer said: “The political establishment is awakening to this challenge of global warming, but there needs to be a strong, steady, insistent alarm, not a soft, soothing wake up call.  We are running out of time…scientists tell us we have about ten years, or the effects of our global warming emissions may become irreversible.”
 
Senator Boxer gave three examples of steps the EPA should take immediately in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on global warming pollution:
 
·        EPA should allow California and other states to implement global warming pollution standards for cars.  In California, this could result in a 30 percent reduction in global warming pollution from cars.
 
·        EPA should set national global warming pollution standards for cars that are at least as stringent as California’s standards—reducing national global warming pollution from cars by 30 percent.  That equals up to 10% of total U.S. emissions.
 
·        EPA should set global warming pollution standards for new and modified coal-burning power plants immediately. Power plants cause about 40 percent of the global warming pollution in the U.S.
 
Senator Boxer said: “When EPA Administrator Steve Johnson comes before my committee on April 24th, I will challenge him to use the power EPA has had all along to address global warming, and has refused to use. The Supreme Court has left this Administration with no excuses for further delay.”
 
The Chairman also said that former EPA Administrators Carol Browner and William Reilly will testify at the April 24th hearing.
 
Senator Boxer also described positive signs that the Senate is moving closer to taking important action to deal with a major source of global warming pollution.  Three members of the EPW committee have communicated to Senator Boxer about the imminent introduction of bills that address pollution from power plants. All three have indicated a commitment to address global warming emissions. The members who will be introducing power plant bills soon are Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).
 
Senator Boxer said: “Today, for us it should be simple. Working together we can reverse global warming.  We must lead on this not follow.  It’s our job.  I truly believe when we do our job, our country and our families will be better and stronger and the world safer.”
 
Senator Boxer also talked about what individuals can do to reduce their global warming pollution.  The EPW Committee today added a “Carbon Calculator” to its website (https://www.epw.senate.gov, click on “Act Now to Stop Global Warming” button).  The calculator allows individuals to estimate the carbon emissions generated by their cars, homes, and air travel, and provides tips on how to reduce their carbon footprint.
####

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                                                
April 18, 2007
Contact:  Peter Rafle
(202) 228-3102 direct, (202) 302-7086 cell