EPA: We can grow the economy and tackle global warming
A quietly-released Bush Administration analysis shows limits on global warming pollution will not significantly harm the nation’s economic growth

For the first time ever, the Bush Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has quantified the costs associated with legislation aimed at limiting and lowering global warming pollution. The analysis found that under the cap and trade program sponsored by Sens. John Warner (R-Va) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn), America’s gross domestic product would grow 80 percent from 2010 to 2030, just one percentage point less than its growth in the absence of the policy.

In a speech this week, President Bush outlined his approach for stopping the growth of global warming pollution. Instead of suggesting a number of policy solutions across all sectors of the economy, the President instead focused on policies that have already been passed, as well as the need for emissions reductions in the power sector alone. Bush also criticized the idea of binding caps on emissions, still arguing they would hurt the U.S. economy.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the Warner-Lieberman bill in June. The bill would cap pollution from power plants, factories, oil refineries, and other polluting sectors. Companies that exceed the pollution limits would have to buy credits from companies that met them with room to spare. Sponsors of this legislation, including Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman, already understand the urgent need to reduce emissions across the economy.

Advisory group approves policy recommendations, requests comments
If fully implemented, the policies could achieve Minnesota’s aggressive global warming pollution reduction targets

Driven by Minnesota’s global warming pollution reduction goals of at least 15 percent by 2015 and at least 30 percent by 2025, Governor Pawlenty's Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG) was charged with developing a set of policy recommendations to provide the greatest emissions reduction potential at the lowest cost. The final report is currently posted for public comment.

The executive summary (PDF) reviews the top policy recommendations for five sectors of the economy. In addition, MCCAG recommended the implementation of a regional cap and trade program to limit and lower global warming pollution as the overarching framework for helping Minnesota reduce emissions.

The group also evaluated the emissions reduction impact of implementing recent state laws, such as the Renewable Energy Standard. MCCAG found that these measures will account for approximately half of the total emissions reductions needed to meet the state’s 30 percent by 2025 goal. Adopting additional policies is critical to reaching the target.

The deadline for public comment is midnight Sunday, April 27, 2008. If you support strong government action, submit a comment!

What you can do
Urge your legislators to support Cleaner Cars standards

April is Earth Month, and it offers the perfect opportunity for Minnesotans to speak out in support of global warming solutions. One of the most promising recommendations from MCCAG, the Cleaner Cars standards, has the potential to reduce global warming emissions more than 13 million metric tons by 2025 and save Minnesota consumers more than $260 million.

The 2008 Minnesota State Legislature is currently debating the adoption of these stricter vehicle emission standards, and policymakers need to hear from you that this is one measure we can’t afford to let pass by. Contact your state senator and representative and ask them to support the swift passage of Cleaner Cars standards for Minnesota.

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