WASHINGTON - July 7 - A Hill briefing on carbon tax with newsmakers and experts will take place next week in advance of the Senate debate on Waxman-Markey.

WHAT? An expert briefing on Capitol Hill for members of Congress and their staffs, NGOs, and journalists on enacting meaningful climate legislation in the wake of a narrow plurality for the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill in the House and uncertain prospects for it in the Senate. Briefers will address the science, economics and politics of how we get from the currently divided House and compromised bill to a better architecture and brighter prospects for legislation that can gather wide support and actually be effective in preventing catastrophic climate change.

WHO? Speakers and presenters will include:

· Dr. James Hansen, NASA lead climate scientist, speaking on the science of climate change and the urgency of enacting better climate legislation.

· Dr. Robert Shapiro, economist and former Undersecretary of Commerce during the Clinton administration, on the politics andeconomics of cap-and-trade and how direct pricing of carbon can avoid the volatility and gaming while driving innovation and efficiency.

· Cecil Corbin-Mark, policy director of WeACT for Environmental Justice, based in West Harlem, New York City, on how a direct carbon fee approach can help our communities and gain popular support for building the green economy on a platform of economic justice.

· Professor Janet Milne of Vermont Law School, on the recent Canadian experience with carbon pricing. British Columbia enacted an effective and politically viable carbon tax, after which incumbents were reelected.

· Moderator: Brent Blackwelder, president, Friends of the Earth

WHEN? Monday, July 13, 1pm

WHERE? Room 208/209, Capitol Visitors Center, 100 E Capitol St NE, Washington, DC

WHY? The overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that we must act boldly to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily from fossil fuel burning. The overwhelming consensus among economists is that carbon pricing is the most powerful tool toaccomplish this. A direct carbon pricing approach has the potential to gain bipartisan support as the most effective, fairest and most easily implemented way for the U.S. to lead the world into a low-carbon economy without massive bureaucracy, huge unregulated markets or the gaming and fraud that plague cap/trade systems.

RSVPs are welcome, and in some case required to enter the Capitol Visitors Center. Journalists and members of Congress and their staffs can simply cometo the briefing but should bring their credentials with them. Other invitees should RSVP in advance. If you plan to attend, please contact James Handley, jashand@juno.com or 202-546-5692.