The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Nick Berning, 202-222-0748 (office), 703-587-4454 (mobile), nberning@foe.org
Kim Huynh, 202-222-0723 (office), khuynh@foe.org

Dangerous Senate Bill Threatens to Stymie Fight Against Global Warming

WASHINGTON

Friends of the Earth's
president, Erich Pica, had the following response to the four-page and 21-page summaries of the "American
Power Act" cap-and-trade proposal by Senators John Kerry and Joe
Lieberman that leaked today:

"The bill described in these summaries would scrap
crucial tools for solving the climate crisis while locking in billions in
polluter payouts. It would be a step backward in the fight against climate
disruption-great for polluters, but bad for people and the planet.

"The bill would decimate the Clean Air Act as it
applies to global warming, and it would undercut states' ability to seek
innovative solutions. The bill would also hand billions in giveaways to
corporate polluters, including the oil, coal, nuclear and agribusiness
industries, while creating a risky new subprime carbon market for Wall Street
traders. All this is in exchange for pollution reduction goals far weaker than
what scientists say are needed and myriad loopholes. No wonder so many
corporate polluters are reportedly poised to welcome this bill's
introduction.

"The
fact that the bill contemplates expanded
offshore drilling while millions of gallons of oil are still gushing
into the Gulf of Mexico underscores the extent to which it has
been co-opted by polluters. It doesn't have to be this way. Our country
can be powered with 100 percent clean energy. The only thing standing
in the
way is a lack of political leadership.

"Without dramatic improvements this bill should not
be passed, and senators should consider alternatives. In the meantime, existing
tools like the Clean Air Act must be put to work. More broadly,
we must end a system in which polluter lobbyists exercise effective veto power
in Congress. Our economy, global security, and the health of the public are all
at stake."

Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.

(202) 783-7400