Environmental Issues

The U.S. Chamber believes that economic growth and environmental progress go hand in hand, and that responsible business and environmental leaders can work together to grow our economy and preserve the planet.

In fact, the business community is committed to the technological innovations and efficiency gains that will continue to make our nation's air and water even cleaner.

Climate Change

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes climate change is an important issue for policymakers to address. ; The Chamber stands ready to work with Congress to resolve this issue in a bipartisan manner that recognizes regional differences, the state of the technology, and the compelling need for a solution that minimizes overall economic impact.

We support recent efforts —- such as those by Senators Kerry and Graham —- to set forth a positive, practical and realistic framework for legislation, one that echoes the Chamber's core principles on this important issue.

Specifically, we support legislation that would:

minimize the impact on major emitters;
reduce price volatility for consumers;
protect global competitiveness;
invest in renewable energy sources;
take advantage of nuclear power;
streamline the permit system;
make us the "Saudi Arabia of clean coal" by fostering carbon capture and sequestration technology;
commit to increased environmentally responsible onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration;
contain consumer and intellectual property protections;
protect against agency regulation under existing laws not written for greenhouse gases;
strengthen the hand of our international negotiators; and
increase our own energy security and energy efficiency.

While the U.S. Chamber will continue to oppose bad policies that resemble the failed climate proposals of the past, such as bills that jeopardize American jobs, create trade inequalities, leave open the Clean Air Act, open the door to CO2-based mass tort litigation, and further hamper the permitting process for clean energy, we look forward to working with Members of both Congressional chambers who in good faith seek to craft a realistic, cost-effective and environmentally meaningful climate change bill.

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ETRA Special Briefing Series

Staff Contact Information
Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs Division
(202) 463-5533
environment@uschamber.com