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Cap and trade, for lower carbon emissions
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No meaningful environmental legislation will be passed without the support of both political parties
Date published: 5/5/2008
RICHMOND-- One of the things that made the first Earth Day stand out was that it cut across political lines. On that day Republicans and Democrats alike spoke out on the need to confront major environmental problems.
In today's political environment, that may seem foreign. But remember that the Clear Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and the legislation that dealt with acid rain were signed into law by Republican presidents and enjoyed widespread support in both parties.
The fact that this should not be forgotten underscores an important point--no meaningful environmental legislation will get passed unless it has the support of both political parties.
Right now we see this playing out in the battle to enact meaningful climate-change legislation. Once an issue confined to the Democratic left, climate change is now in the mainstream of American politics. This change has been driven by rising extremes in weather including prolonged heat waves, record droughts, rising sea levels, and the threat of stronger storms.
But now that climate change is on magazine covers and being debated by presidential candidates, the question is: What kind of policy will both Republicans and Democrats support?
A cap and trade system is the answer. This policy both cuts the carbon pollution that causes climate change and creates new opportunities for workers and businesses.
[This system puts a limit on the amount of pollutants that can be emitted. Businesses are issued emission permits, with an equivalent number of credits, or a "cap" on emissions. Companies that find they need to exceed this cap must buy credits from those businesses that pollute less, in essence making a "trade."]
The cap and trade system has a history of bipartisan support. The first President Bush used this system to combat acid rain by reducing sulfur dioxide emissions, which are a primary cause of acid rain. Although there was initial skepticism, the program met its pollution-level goals quicker than expected and for a quarter of the original estimated cost.
Fortunately, bipartisan leaders are coming forward to combat climate change. A coalition lead by Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) are co-sponsoring the America's Climate Security Act, which would create a national cap and trade system. If Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) supports the measure, it will truly show bipartisan support from our Virginia leaders in Washington.
In addition to combating global warming, the cap and trade program can create new economic opportunities. The cap would create demand for new sources of energy that don't give off large amounts of carbon pollution. Companies here in Virginia would respond to this demand, and the profits that come with it, by producing clean energy sources like like biodiesel, ethanol, and solar power. This would create high-tech, high-wage jobs for Virginia's workers.
With the cap and trade system, we get a cleaner environment and new jobs, without increasing taxes or increased government spending and bureaucracy. That sounds like something we all can support.
Meg Coady is field director of the Virginia Climate Initiative.
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Date published: 5/5/2008
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