In late June, the House of Representatives took a historic vote to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation that would put in place a nationwide plan to rein in global warming pollution and establish a cleaner approach to our nation's energy system.
This legislation does not include everything we wanted, but it establishes a critical first step in building the foundation to curb global warming, reduce our dependence on oil and start the transition to a clean energy economy.
Many politicians wrongly believe saving our planet should take a back seat to profits for big business -- and they'll be trying to derail the bill every step of the way.
We need your help to put a strong bill over the finish line. Please urge your Senators to act quickly to strengthen and pass the House bill.
Subject: Please pass science-based climate and energy legislation this year
Dear Senator
[Last Name],
In June, the House of Representatives passed the historic American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive climate and energy bill that would limit global warming pollution and establish a cleaner approach to our nation's energy system. Now it's time for the Senate to act by taking up, strengthening, and passing the House bill.
[Your personal comments will be added to your letter here.]
To maximize the potential benefits of climate action, Senate climate legislation should improve on the House bill by:
* strengthening the short-term emissions reduction target to 35 percent by 2020;
* strengthening the renewable electricity standard to require 25 percent of our electricity to come from renewable sources, such as the wind and sun, by 2025;
* investing more money in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs that will save consumers money;
* preserving the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) existing authority to regulate global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act; and
* limiting "offsets," which allow polluters to postpone emissions cuts in their own facilities by paying for reductions elsewhere, and strengthening offset quality.
The Senate bill should also retain and strengthen the House bill's provision requiring the EPA and National Academy of Sciences to recommend policy changes in response to emerging climate science. Finally, the Senate legislation should exclude any "safety valve" loophole that would let polluters delay or avoid needed pollution reductions by limiting the fees they must pay for their emissions.
