Federal Inaction Reinforces Need
for State-Level Global Warming Plan in PA
Philadelphia, PA—President Bush today announced a new goal of stopping
the growth of U.S. global warming pollution by 2025. Yet, in 2007, the
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that
global emissions must peak no later than 2015 to prevent
catastrophic effects of global warming.
“The science is clear on what is minimally necessary to tackle global
warming, and the Bush administration’s plan doesn’t come close to
getting the job done,” said Nathan Willcox, Energy & Clean Air
Advocate with PennEnvironment. “The time for action is now — not 20
years from now.”
According to the Department of Energy, U.S. energy-related carbon
dioxide emissions are projected to increase by more than 16% above 2006
levels by 2025.
With today’s disappointing announcement from the White House,
PennEnvironment again called on the Rendell administration to move
ahead with a state-level global warming plan for Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania currently creates more global warming pollution than every
other state besides Texas and California.
“While the Bush administration continues to drag its feet, global
warming continues to transform the world,” said Willcox. “This vacuum
of leadership at the federal level demands that Gov. Rendell and
legislative leaders follow other states in adopting a science-based
global warming plan for Pennsylvania.”
To protect future generations from the worst effects of global warming,
such as a massive rise in sea levels and the extinction of many species
worldwide, the most recent science indicates that the United States
must halt increases in its global warming emissions immediately, cut
its emissions by at least 15 to 20 percent by 2020, and slash its
emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050.
In addition to calling for a comprehensive state-level global warming
plan, PennEnvironment pointed to two state bills—House Bill 2200 and
Special Session House Bill 1—as being critical down payments towards
cutting global warming pollution in Pennsylvania. HB 2200 would
establish energy efficiency programs statewide to cut projected
electricity use 2.5 percent in five years. SHB 1 would provide $850
million towards alternative energy sources, including $200 million for
solar power and $69 million for energy efficiency and green buildings.
HB 2200 alone would cut projected global warming pollution levels by an
amount equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road for a year.
“To solve this urgent problem, Pennsylvania and America must invest in
a clean energy future with an emphasis on energy-efficient buildings
and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power,” added
Willcox. “At the state level, HB 2200 and SHB 1 are two critical steps
towards advancing this clean energy future.”
