Considering Climate Change: A Look Ahead

Now that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been signed into law – including at least $20 billion for energy efficiency – the Alliance Policy Team will continue its engagement in the guidance and implementation of the energy efficiency provisions in the bill. But we are also turning our sights to the legislative challenges that will occupy Congress in the near future – among them, a potential climate change bill that would put a price on the emission of carbon dioxide.

 

In preparation for this legislation, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released on February 3 a list of principles to guide the development of a climate change bill. And the Senate is not the only chamber taking action on this front: the House of Representatives is hoping to release by Memorial Day a bill that would tackle both climate change and broader energy policy.

 

The Alliance is looking forward to Congressional movement on the issue of climate change. For some time now we have been preparing for legislation that would create a price signal for greenhouse gas emissions. Last year the Alliance’s Board of Directors adopted its own set of principles to guide the development of climate change legislation that will promote energy efficiency.

 

The Alliance believes that government policy to curb greenhouse gas emissions could spur unprecedented levels of energy efficiency, if designed appropriately. We look forward to the introduction of climate change legislation in Congress and will keep our readers informed of legislative developments.