Become a "Citizen Co-Sponsor" of the Boxer-Sanders bill

[OKIsItJustMe]

Senator Barbara Boxer has just introduced legislation with Sen. Bernie Sanders to comprehensively reduce global warming, and she's asking for citizens like you and me to join with her in co-sponsoring the bill.

One week before Earth Day, which comes on April 22nd, Sen. Boxer will announce the number of citizen co-sponsors that have been gathered, giving her a huge push forward as she approaches her colleagues and enlists their support for Sanders/Boxer.

I hope you will join me in signing on as a citizen co-sponsor of this critically important legislation -- just click the link below to do it!

http://ga6.org/campaign/citizen_cosponsor/

[phantom power]

1. What's the plan embodied by this bill?

[phantom power]

3. Answering my own question...

The timetable isn't really fast enough, but they certainly have the right idea, and to be fair, I'm not exactly sure what a feasible plan for a more aggressive timetable would look like. I like the data-driven attitude: If CO2 rises to 450ppb, up the aggression.

If nothing else, it's light-years ahead of any other legislation I've seen on the topic.

Requires that the U.S. reduce its emissions between 2010 and 2020 to 1990 levels. By 2030, the U.S. must reduce its emissions by 1/3 of 80% percent below 1990 levels, by 2040 by 2/3 of 80% percent below 1990 levels and by 2050, to a level that is 80 percent below 1990 levels.

· Requires that power plants, automobiles and carbon intensive businesses reduce their global warming pollution.

· In the event that global atmospheric concentrations exceed 450 parts per million or that average global temperatures increase above 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average, EPA can require additional reductions.

· Provides for standards and grants for sequestration of greenhouse gases.

· The National Academy of Sciences will report to EPA and the Congress to determine whether goals of the Act have been met.

· Requires the US to derive 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

· Establishes energy efficiency standards similar those found in California and ten other states.

· Invests in innovative technologies.

http://epw.senate.gov/pressitem.cfm?party=dem&id=258989

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. The Sanders/Boxer Global Warming Bill (S.309) summary

http://ga6.org/campaign/citizen_cosponsor/explanation

The Sanders/Boxer Global Warming Bill (S.309) summary

• Contains findings which include the need to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to a worldwide stabilization goal of 450 parts per million and states that the purpose of the bill is to prevent global temperature increases of more than 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit from current levels.
• A cap and trade program is outlined, but not required, and the funds from such a system may be used to help those disproportionately affected by global warming or as grants to find the cleanest energy sources.
• If greenhouse gas concentrations exceed 450 parts per million, or if there is an increase in temperatures above the goal, then the National Academy of Sciences shall report this fact and EPA can order additional reductions.
• Calls for 30% reduction in greenhouse gases from cars by 20l6 and calls for energy facilities built after 2012 to be as clean as a new natural gas plant.
• Creates grants for carbon sequestration and requires EPA to set standards as well.
• Creates a research and development program on global warming and calls for 100% increase per year for the first ten years in energy research for clean, low carbon sources of energy.
• Contains an energy efficiency standard requiring reductions in electricity use through the use of consumer products that are low carbon such as efficient light bulbs.
• Requires utilities to generate or purchase an increasing amount of renewable energy.
• Contains a standard for low carbon renewable fuels such as cellulosic ethanol or other fuels that reduce carbons emission 75% or more.
• Directs the SEC to promulgate regulations requiring corporate disclosure of climate change risks.

[southerncrone]

2. Signed on!

:headbang: