December 05, 2007 09:47 PM UTC

Shafroth releases Comprehensive Global Warming & Energy Independence plan

• 3 Comments
• by: ShafrothForCongress

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Lynea Hansen

(303) 579-8794

December 5, 2007

Shafroth: “On Global Warming and Energy Independence, Washington Must Take the Long View…in Short Order”.

Urges Congress to move quickly.

Boulder, CO – Will Shafroth, Democratic candidate for the Colorado’s Second Congressional District, released a bold, long-term Global Warming & Energy Independence plan today amidst local, national and international discussion on how to best address the critical issues of global warming and energy security. Shafroth’s plan presents an integrated solution that spells out how to halt global warming while creating economic growth through the development of a sustainable clean energy economy.

“On global warming and energy independence, Washington has got to stop thinking only about the next election, and instead get focused on the next generation,” Shafroth said.  “It is way past time for Congress to take decisive and comprehensive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.”

   “My plan combines sound climate policy with smart energy policy that, if enacted, will help stop global warming and ensure a healthy and prosperous future for generations to come. In addition, my plan stimulates the economy by investing in American research and development.  We can realize near-term economic benefits, while doing what’s urgently necessary to protect our children, and theirs.”

Highlights from Shafroth’s plan include proposals that will:

   * Establish a cap-and-trade system with benchmarks that will (1) stabilize greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. within two years of enactment and (2) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020 and 90% by 2050. [1]

   * Reinvest in America: With funds generated from a cap-and-trade system, Shafroth’s plan would at least triple our investment in research and development for renewable energy and minimize the impacts on low-income families.

   * Implement a national renewable portfolio standard requiring 20% of electricity production to come from renewable resources by 2015 and 30% by 2020.

   * Starting in 2010, increase CAFE standards on all new vehicles by 3 mpg per year for at least 10 years. By 2020, this would raise standards to 57.5 mpg on cars and 50.7 mpg on light trucks.

   “Congress needs to pass comprehensive energy and climate change bills quickly,” Shafroth said. “A meaningful, long-term plan must protect our planet with real, meaningful solutions for global warming and our nation’s energy policy.  The current bills being debated in Congress, while a start, will not get us where we ultimately need to go in time.”

A summary of Shafroth’s Global Warming & Energy Independence plan is attached. To see the full version and how you can help, please go to http://www.shafrothforcongress…

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[1] These percentages are based on 2005 greenhouse gas emissions levels. If a 1990 baseline is used the percentages are approximately 30% by 2020 and 88% by 2050.