April 27, 2009

Capitol Hotline (Apr. 27)

Climate Bill Hearings Continue, MEF in DC, Boxer Forms 'Working Groups', Endangerment Finding Published, Indigenous People's Summit, China Triples Wind Projection

USCAN Capitol Hotline
April 27, 2009

In this issue

Hot Topic of the Week

Draft Climate Bill Hearings Continue, Some Members Push for Weaker Targets

New Member-Only Resources
Inside the Beltway

17 World Leaders Discuss Climate at Major Economies Forum in Washington, DC
Senator Boxer Forms 'Working Groups' in EPW Committee for Climate Legislation
EPA Endangerment Finding Published to Federal Register

Outside the Beltway

Indigenous People's Summit in Alaska Concludes
China Triples Estimated Wind Power by 2020

Capitol Hill Events
Other Headlines

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Hot Topic of the Week

Draft Climate Bill Hearings Continue, Some Members Push for Weaker Targets

The House Energy and Commerce Committee embarked on a marathon of hearings last week on the draft climate legislation introduced by Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA). Democratic leaders decided to postpone plans for a mark up this week after committee Republicans unanimously approved a parliamentary tactic that allows the minority to force more hearings. An exact date for the markup has not been released, but a letter released by the committee said it would be delayed until at least next week. Waxman said he still intends to finish the legislation in his committee before the start of Memorial Day recess.

A group led by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) wants to weaken the bill on a number of fronts, including reducing emission cuts from 20% to 6% by 2020 and lowering renewable electricity standard requirements from 25% to 15% by 2025. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) said the group also favors setting aside 40% of allowances under a cap-and-trade program for the electric utility industry, to be phased out by 2025.

After three days of technical testimony, Al Gore and Newt Gingrich weighed in on the draft bill on Friday. Gore said the bill would address the climate crisis and economic crisis while reducing the national security threat of foreign oil dependence. Gore also pointed to new EPA analysis of cap-and-trade and found it would only cost "a postage stamp per day." Gingrich rallied against the bill and said Congress should pass legislation that encourages greater production of domestic oil and gas resources.

Analysis by the World Resource Institute found that the pollution caps proposed in the draft legislation would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 73% below 2005 levels by 2050. A soon-to-be-released study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that comprehensive climate and energy legislation similar to the Waxman bill could reach 56% reductions below 2005 levels by 2030 and would provide the average consumer $900 in net savings. Read more at E&E (sub. req'd)

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Member-Only Resources

The following resources (talking points, sign-on letters, polling data, reports and more) were added to the member-area of the USCAN website recently. You must login to access them. Need an account? Register here.

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Inside the Beltway

17 World Leaders Discuss Climate at Major Economies Forum in Washington, DC

The US has gathered representatives of the Heads of State of 16 major economies for the Major Economies Forum, which is being held today and tomorrow in Washington, DC. In a statement announcing the forum last month, the White House said the goal of the talks are to help resolve key issues on climate and energy and pave the way for a successful climate agreement in Copenhagen in December.

This morning, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the world leaders that the United States is ready to lead. "Climate change is a clear and immediate danger to our world that demands immediate action," said Clinton. "It is a threat that is global in scope but local and national in impact."

Today, heads of state discussed national actions to combat climate change and the technologies and policies necessary to accelerate transformation to low carbon economies. Tuesday will open with a session on the role of the MEF in promoting technology cooperation and then wrap up early in the afternoon with a session on how the MEF can help promote a successful outcome at the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December.

During a hearing on Earth Day, Senator Kerry said he was pleased that the U.S. is convening the Major Economies Forum. "The time has come for the United States to reclaim our rightful role a diplomatic leader within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change... I believe next week's Forum can strengthen the final deal by offering the 17 largest emitters a venue to explore areas of agreement in a smaller, more focused setting."

Additional MEF meetings are expected leading up to a meeting of Heads of State at the G8 meeting on July 7 - 9^th in L'Aquila, Italy. President Obama also indicated that a preparatory meeting may be held at La Maddalena, Italy in September and perhaps in Mexico City at a time to be determined.

Senator Boxer Forms 'Working Groups' in EPW Committee for Climate Legislation

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) took her first steps toward crafting climate legislation by forming five working groups to work out the details and outreach to other senators. She delegated the key areas of the legislation to Democrats on her committee: emission targets and timetables, cost containment, regional issues, carbon market oversight, and coal research and technology. Boxer did not offer a timeline for moving climate legislation through the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said last Tuesday that he didn't expect Senate action until the fall, after the House acts on its version of the climate bill. Read more at E&E (sub. req'd)

EPA Endangerment Finding Published to Federal Register

The EPA published its endangerment finding to the Federal Register on Friday. Public comments will be accepted until June 23, 2009. On April 17, the agency officially found that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to public health and welfare, opening the door for the agency to regulate the emissions under the Clean Air Act. Read the Federal Register

A report released yesterday by the New York University School of Law found that the EPA could create a regulatory cap-and-trade system independent of Congress by invoking its discretionary powers under the Clean Air Act.

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Outside the Beltway

Indigenous People's Summit in Alaska Concludes

400 delegates from 80 countries met at the UN Indigenous People's Global Summit on Climate Change in Alaska last week. Issues discussed included helping Arctic reindeer herders use satellite snow maps to find food for their animals and the possibility of the Pacific island nation of Kiribati purchasing land elsewhere to relocate its population. The conference concluded without consensus on a summit document because of a dispute over drilling for oil and gas in native lands. While some delegates called for a complete moratorium, others said that, while fossil fuels should be phased out, indigenous people should be allowed to develop their resources. The final declaration, agreed to by about 70% of delegates, will be presented at the UN summit in Copenhagen this December. Read more at CBC.ca

China Triples Estimated Wind Power by 2020

China will have 100 gigawatts of wind-power capacity by 2020, said a senior official last week, more than three times the target the government had set for itself just 18 months ago. This means wind is set to be a bigger source of the country's energy than nuclear, which China is also heavily investing in. Read more at Reuters

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Capitol Hill Events

Apr. 27-28: Major Economies Forum (State Dept)
Apr. 28: Hearing on energy efficiency in public buildings (House Sci & Tech)
Apr. 28: Hearing on proposals for a federal clean energy bank (Senate ENR)
Apr. 28: Hearing on EPA nominees (Senate EPW)
Apr. 28: Hearing on national transportation strategy (Senate Comm)
Apr. 29: Hearing on climate change, small businesses and farms (House Small Bus)
Apr. 29: Hearing on coal combustion waste and storage (House Trans & Infra)

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