In a tight final vote, the US House of Representatives have voted in favor of a historic US Climate Change Bill, after heavy lobbying by the White House and President Obama. Former Vice-President Al Gore was also lobbying to get wavering Democrats on the right path.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed by 219 to 212 votes, in what will be a wide reaching change of US policy compared to those pursued during the Bush Administration, including a carbon cap and trade system, growth in alternative energy, more efficient buildings and cleaner energy production technology. Taken all together, the plan is to cut emissions by 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050, based on a 2005 baseline.
This new target can be compared with the original Kyoto Accord, using Energy Information Administration information. America’s 2005 CO2 emissions were 6.032 billion metric tons whereas the original Kyoto Accord target was to reduce the 1990 levels by 5.2% by 2012.
Taking the USA’s 1990 CO2 emissions as being 5.021 billion metric tons, it is easy to see how far out the US still is from any Kyoto level, courtesy mainly to the Bush Administration. With the current regulations, taking 17% off 6.032 billion metric tons means a reduction to 5 billion tons of CO2 in the proposed Climate Change Bill, basically putting the emissions level back to the 1990 levels.
It is a step in the right direction but is still way behind what is really needed, and is almost like standing still for 30 years while the rest of the world attempts much larger reductions.
The European Union proposal for the Copenhagen Agreement is for a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020 for industrialized countries, and 30% if developing countries cut their emissions too, compared to 1990. So, while all other industrial countries will attempt a 20% reduction, the US basically will make a zero reduction by 2020 compared to 1990, just eliminating the excess that has been consumed for the last 19 years.
It isn’t really an emissions’ crash diet, more of a belt tightening exercise.
“Scientists say that global warming is a dangerous man-made problem,” explained Energy Independence and Global Warming Chair Edward Markey. “Today we are saying clean energy will be the American-made solution. This legislation will create jobs by the millions, save money by the billions and unleash investment in clean energy by the trillions.”
The Climate Change Bill goals are for electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020. The US plans to invest $190 billion in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including energy efficiency and renewable energy ($90 billion in new investments by 2025), carbon capture and sequestration ($60 billion), electric and other advanced technology vehicles ($20 billion), and basic scientific research and development ($20 billion).
The Bill proposes mandates for new energy-saving standards for buildings, appliances, and industry. Reductions in carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels, with future legislation to help prevent tropical deforestation to aid reductions in carbon emissions. The Bill will also attempt to protect consumers from energy price increases and is expected to cost each US household less than 50 cents per day in 2020. Seems like a really small price to pay for a smidgen of climate change relief.
“The American Clean Energy Security (ACES) Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress will ever pass. This comprehensive legislation will make meaningful reductions in global warming pollution, spur investment in clean energy technology, create jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” said Former Vice President Al Gore, Chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection.
The Climate Change Bill now goes before the Senate who have to review and suggest their modifications prior to voting, and hopefully, passing the Bill into law.
Trevor Williams is a University of Victoria Mechanical Engineering PhD candidate specialising in renewable energy, power grid modelling and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. He has a bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering, a Masters in Management Science and over 23 years international experience in the space industry, having worked on Earth observation and telecommunications satellites. He is the author of the Eco-Geek blog.
written by A Kasper , June 27, 2009
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written by A Kasper , June 27, 2009