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Written by John Egan for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--President Obama on Tuesday unveiled a broad "climate action plan" that directs federal agencies to take a series of steps to reduce power plant emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), increase renewable generation on federal lands, boost loans for advanced energy research and implement higher efficiency standards for buildings and appliances. In a lengthy speech at Georgetown University, the president also said the proposed Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline would only be approved if it did not "significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution."
The speech drew predictable reactions: Criticism from Republicans on Capitol Hill and some fossil fuel interests, but praise from Democrats and environmental organizations.
Speaking in shirt sleeves on a sweltering Washington afternoon, Obama said climate change "is a challenge that does not pause for partisan gridlock. It demands our attention now. And this is my plan to meet it--a plan to cut carbon pollution; a plan to protect our country from the impacts of climate change; and a plan to lead the world in a coordinated assault on a changing climate."
"This plan begins with cutting carbon pollution by changing the way we use energy--using less dirty energy, using more clean energy, wasting less energy throughout our economy," he continued. Using federal agencies--rather than Congress--to implement these policy initiatives is necessary because Congress has been unable to act on important energy issues, he added.
In the speech, Obama expressed frustration with those who question the science of climate change or advocate delay until more data becomes available. "Science, accumulated and reviewed over decades, tells us that our planet is changing in ways that will have profound impacts on all of humankind," the president said. "The overwhelming judgment of science--of chemistry and physics and millions of measurements--has put all that to rest. Ninety-seven percent of scientists, including, by the way, some who originally disputed the data, have now put that to rest. They've acknowledged the planet is warming and human activity is contributing to it. I don't have much patience for anyone who denies that this challenge is real. We don't have time for a meeting of the Flat Earth Society. Sticking your head in the sand might make you feel safer, but it's not going to protect you from the coming storm."
Specifically, on Tuesday Obama instructed:
Regarding the CO2 emissions standard for existing fossil fuel power plants, Obama said: "Nearly a dozen states have already implemented or are implementing their own market-based programs to reduce carbon pollution. Over 1,000 mayors have signed agreements to cut carbon pollution. So the idea of setting higher pollution standards for our power plants is not new. It's just time for Washington to catch up with the rest of the country." Last year, the EPA drafted a rule to limit CO2 emissions from new fossil-fuel power plants, but the agency missed its deadline to finalize that rule. For more on that issue, see March 30, 2012, article - EPA Strikes Again With 'New Source Performance Standard'.
The president also anticipated--and criticized--those who say the new CO2 standard would ruin the power sector or the U.S. economy. "Now, what you'll hear from the special interests and their allies in Congress is that this will kill jobs and crush the economy, and basically end American free enterprise as we know it. And the reason I know you'll hear those things is because that's what they said every time America sets clear rules and better standards for our air and our water and our children's health. And every time, they've been wrong."
In a prepared statement, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), said: "The president has always been hostile to affordable sources of American energy that power most of our economy, but this program--which amounts to a National Energy Tax--only escalates his attack. These policies, rejected even by the last Democratic-controlled Congress, will shutter power plants, destroy good-paying American jobs and raise electricity bills."
Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the administration's rule-making on carbon emissions should be subjected to public scrutiny. "It is unfortunate that on a matter of such importance to all Americans that the administration has chosen to bypass our elected representatives in favor of unilateral actions and go-it-alone tactics."
U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Ca.) said of Obama's climate action plan, "It's good for the economy, it's good for environment, and it's good for the U.S." Waxman sponsored cap-and-trade legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, but died the following year in the Senate.
In his speech, Obama said: "Now, one thing I want to make sure everybody understands--this does not mean that we're going to suddenly stop producing fossil fuels. Our economy wouldn't run very well if it did. And transitioning to a clean energy economy takes time. But when the doomsayers trot out the old warnings that these ambitions will somehow hurt our energy supply, just remind them that America produced more oil than we have in 15 years. What is true is that we can't just drill our way out of the energy and climate challenge that we face. That's not possible."
And the president sought to preempt or deflect criticism of his plan from the business community: "Recently, more than 500 businesses, including giants like General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) (Detroit, Michigan) and Nike Incorporated (NYSE:NKE) (Beaverton, Oregon), issued a Climate Declaration, calling action on climate change 'one of the great economic opportunities of the 21st century.' Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated (NYSE:WMT) (Bentonville, Arkansas) is working to cut its carbon pollution by 20% and transition completely to renewable energy. Walmart deserves a cheer for that. But think about it. Would the biggest company, the biggest retailer in America--would they really do that if it weren't good for business, if it weren't good for their shareholders?"
"A low-carbon, clean energy economy can be an engine of growth for decades to come. And I want America to build that engine. I want America to build that future--right here in the United States of America. That's our task. It's not an either/or; it's a both/and."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
The speech drew predictable reactions: Criticism from Republicans on Capitol Hill and some fossil fuel interests, but praise from Democrats and environmental organizations.
Speaking in shirt sleeves on a sweltering Washington afternoon, Obama said climate change "is a challenge that does not pause for partisan gridlock. It demands our attention now. And this is my plan to meet it--a plan to cut carbon pollution; a plan to protect our country from the impacts of climate change; and a plan to lead the world in a coordinated assault on a changing climate."
"This plan begins with cutting carbon pollution by changing the way we use energy--using less dirty energy, using more clean energy, wasting less energy throughout our economy," he continued. Using federal agencies--rather than Congress--to implement these policy initiatives is necessary because Congress has been unable to act on important energy issues, he added.
In the speech, Obama expressed frustration with those who question the science of climate change or advocate delay until more data becomes available. "Science, accumulated and reviewed over decades, tells us that our planet is changing in ways that will have profound impacts on all of humankind," the president said. "The overwhelming judgment of science--of chemistry and physics and millions of measurements--has put all that to rest. Ninety-seven percent of scientists, including, by the way, some who originally disputed the data, have now put that to rest. They've acknowledged the planet is warming and human activity is contributing to it. I don't have much patience for anyone who denies that this challenge is real. We don't have time for a meeting of the Flat Earth Society. Sticking your head in the sand might make you feel safer, but it's not going to protect you from the coming storm."
Specifically, on Tuesday Obama instructed:
- the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, D.C.) to expeditiously prepare a new rule setting a CO2 emission standard for existing fossil-fuel generators
- the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) (Washington, D.C.) to permit 10 gigawatts (GW) of new, privately developed renewable energy generation on federal lands by 2020
- the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) (Washington, D.C.) to offer up to $8 billion in loan guarantees for advanced fossil fuel energy projects
- the U.S. State Department (Washington, D.C.) to complete its analysis of the Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline
Regarding the CO2 emissions standard for existing fossil fuel power plants, Obama said: "Nearly a dozen states have already implemented or are implementing their own market-based programs to reduce carbon pollution. Over 1,000 mayors have signed agreements to cut carbon pollution. So the idea of setting higher pollution standards for our power plants is not new. It's just time for Washington to catch up with the rest of the country." Last year, the EPA drafted a rule to limit CO2 emissions from new fossil-fuel power plants, but the agency missed its deadline to finalize that rule. For more on that issue, see March 30, 2012, article - EPA Strikes Again With 'New Source Performance Standard'.
The president also anticipated--and criticized--those who say the new CO2 standard would ruin the power sector or the U.S. economy. "Now, what you'll hear from the special interests and their allies in Congress is that this will kill jobs and crush the economy, and basically end American free enterprise as we know it. And the reason I know you'll hear those things is because that's what they said every time America sets clear rules and better standards for our air and our water and our children's health. And every time, they've been wrong."
In a prepared statement, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), said: "The president has always been hostile to affordable sources of American energy that power most of our economy, but this program--which amounts to a National Energy Tax--only escalates his attack. These policies, rejected even by the last Democratic-controlled Congress, will shutter power plants, destroy good-paying American jobs and raise electricity bills."
Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the administration's rule-making on carbon emissions should be subjected to public scrutiny. "It is unfortunate that on a matter of such importance to all Americans that the administration has chosen to bypass our elected representatives in favor of unilateral actions and go-it-alone tactics."
U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Ca.) said of Obama's climate action plan, "It's good for the economy, it's good for environment, and it's good for the U.S." Waxman sponsored cap-and-trade legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, but died the following year in the Senate.
In his speech, Obama said: "Now, one thing I want to make sure everybody understands--this does not mean that we're going to suddenly stop producing fossil fuels. Our economy wouldn't run very well if it did. And transitioning to a clean energy economy takes time. But when the doomsayers trot out the old warnings that these ambitions will somehow hurt our energy supply, just remind them that America produced more oil than we have in 15 years. What is true is that we can't just drill our way out of the energy and climate challenge that we face. That's not possible."
And the president sought to preempt or deflect criticism of his plan from the business community: "Recently, more than 500 businesses, including giants like General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) (Detroit, Michigan) and Nike Incorporated (NYSE:NKE) (Beaverton, Oregon), issued a Climate Declaration, calling action on climate change 'one of the great economic opportunities of the 21st century.' Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated (NYSE:WMT) (Bentonville, Arkansas) is working to cut its carbon pollution by 20% and transition completely to renewable energy. Walmart deserves a cheer for that. But think about it. Would the biggest company, the biggest retailer in America--would they really do that if it weren't good for business, if it weren't good for their shareholders?"
"A low-carbon, clean energy economy can be an engine of growth for decades to come. And I want America to build that engine. I want America to build that future--right here in the United States of America. That's our task. It's not an either/or; it's a both/and."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
