Act Now as Senate Weighs in on Global Warming
New Senate climate legislation attempts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and create green jobs. As the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee finishes the last of its three days of hearings on this bill, its sponsors, Sens. John Kerry (MA) and Barbara Boxer (CA), are consulting widely with other senators to see what changes need to be made so that the bill will gain enough votes to pass.
Right now, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S.1733) has good points and bad points.

• On the one hand, it contains several provisions that could help to reduce pollution, is stronger than similar legislation passed by the House and, very importantly, maintains the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) existing authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
• On the other hand, the legislation contains loopholes that would allow U.S. greenhouse gas pollution to increase for decades and prevent the United States from cutting its fair share of carbon emissions. The best available science says that reducing global carbon dioxide concentrations to no more than 350 parts per million is necessary to avert the worst effects of global warming. We are currently at 390 parts per million.

• Make necessary and deep cuts in greenhouse gas pollution to fairly contribute to the goal of reducing global concentrations to 350 parts per million;
• Not let polluters off the hook by preventing companies from purchasing questionable pollution credits overseas; and
• Retain existing EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.