2010.06.08 ENE Releases APA Comprehensive Summary and Recommendations Press
ENE Releases APA Comprehensive Summary and Recommendations
For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010
Contacts: Peter Shattuck, Carbon Markets Policy Analyst, 617-742-0054 x103 pshattuck@env-ne.org
Emily Avery-Miller, External Relations Manager, 207-236-6470 eavery-miller@env-ne.org
ROCKPORT, ME - ENE (Environment Northeast) today released a comprehensive summary of the American Power Act (APA) discussion draft put forward on May 12, 2010 by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). ENE, a leading regional climate and energy advocacy organization, applauds the draft as an important advance in the federal policy process. "This discussion draft marks an important step toward developing legislation that will put our nation on the path to a clean energy future," said ENE Executive Director, Dan Sosland.
"Placing a price on carbon is essential to transform our economy, but we believe the bill could be strengthened in a number of ways. We developed the summary and related recommendation memos to inform the public and to aid the development of a strong climate and energy package," said Sosland.
The comprehensive summary is divided into two parts: 1) a high-level overview of the bill, describing the cap trajectory, allowance allocations, and additional provisions on preemption, conventional energy, and offshore drilling; and, 2) a detailed section-by-section summary of the entire bill.
In addition, ENE developed recommendations for improving the bill, focusing on three key areas: energy efficiency; maintaining the role of states; and provisions to strengthen offsets and protect forestlands.
ENE's analysis and perspective on the bill draw on experience with the design and implementation of the nation's first mandatory GHG cap and trade system, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
"In RGGI we see that a well-designed cap and trade system can benefit consumers through investments in energy efficiency, and can set high standards for emissions offsets," said Peter Shattuck, Carbon Markets Policy Analyst at ENE. "The federal program could be improved by incorporating these and other key RGGI lessons to deliver the greatest benefits."
Since the launch of RGGI less than two years ago, the program has raised over $582 million for the 10 member states, with $320 million of that dedicated to helping consumers reduce energy consumption and save money on their bills. RGGI has also established rigorous standards to ensure the environmental integrity of offsets.
"We will continue to work with Congressional leaders to develop a strong final bill that will incorporate integral policies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and foster a strong, clean energy economy," Sosland said.
ENE does not endorse the portions of APA related to nuclear power and offshore oil and gas exploration.
See the documents released today and more on Federal Cap and Trade Policy at ENE's Web site:
• Comprehensive Summary of the APA: http://env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/1069
• Emissions and Allowance Allocations Overview and Charts: http://env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/1059
• Energy Efficiency in APA: http://env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/1060
• State GHG Programs and the APA: http://env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/1061
• Domestic Offsets and Carbon Conservation Program in APA: http://env-ne.org/resources/open/p/id/1062
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ENE (Environment Northeast) is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies that tackle our environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies. ENE is at the forefront of state and regional efforts to combat global warming with solutions that promote clean energy, clean air and healthy forests.
ENE / PO Box 583, Rockport, ME 04856 / (207) 236-6470 / www.env-ne.org
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