Edwards in Des Moines: Slash emissions

[JohnLocke]

Edwards in DM: Slash emissions
By Tony Leys--Des Moines Register
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
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America should cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, increase fuel economy of its cars and decrease electricity use, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards said in Des Moines this morning.

“The way America uses energy today will be changed and changed dramatically, and in the process we’re going to deal in a really serious way with the issue of climate change,” he said.

Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat running for president, planned to launch his proposals in a speech in Nevada, Ia., later in the day. He outlined the plan during a meeting with Des Moines Register editors and reporters this morning.

Edwards said his plan is “very much at the aggressive end of the scale,” but he said scientists have told him it would be feasible.

(...)

Edwards wants to cap U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions by 2010, then cut them 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. He would auction off the right to emit carbon-dioxide, a large portion of which comes from power plants. That sale would raise at least $10 billion, which would be invested in energy-saving innovations, he said. Edwards also proposed requiring cars to get 40 miles to a gallon of gas, and requiring that 25 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2025.

He said he would continue subsidies on corn ethanol for now, but also would focus on cellulosic ethanol, which would be made from corncobs, switchgrass and other sources. Edwards said his proposals would give the United States more credibility when it tries to persuade China, India and other developing countries to limit their pollution.

He also said embracing energy-conservation would create jobs, especially in rural areas.

“The argument is made that this could weaken America’s economy,” he said. “I think it could actually strengthen the American economy.”
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[JohnLocke]

1. Kick (nt).