U.S. Chamber President Calls for Comprehensive Approach to Energy and Climate Change

COLUMBUS, OHIO-The United States Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the Ohio Climate Change Dialogue Group today to sponsor a statewide conference on climate change in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas J. Donohue, the Chamber's president and CEO, joined U.S. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and top experts in addressing the gathering of leading Ohio employers, energy producers, and consumers.

"Instead of focusing on energy or climate change policy in isolation, we need a comprehensive approach that produces more American energy, keeps jobs in the United States, protects our national security, and reduces the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change," Donohue said in the conference's opening address. "Pursuing one of these goals at the expense of the others won't cut it."

Noting that both domestic and worldwide energy demand will increase dramatically in the coming years, Donohue warned that today's high energy prices will soar even higher "unless we produce more energy - all kinds of energy. More coal, oil, gas, and nuclear, along with aggressive development of alternative and renewable energies."

Donohue called for aggressive public and private sector action to address climate change, emphasizing "efficiency, technology, and a global approach to a global challenge." He said the Chamber opposes the Lieberman-Warner climate change legislation pending on Capitol Hill, because "its targets and mandates are simply not realistic or achievable."

The Chamber President called on policymakers and the public to "understand and appreciate how fundamental an affordable, diverse, clean, and secure supply of energy is to jobs and the American way of life. We can make America energy secure and still constructively address climate change," Donohue said.

The event, entitled "Managing a Changing Climate: Challenges and Opportunities for the Buckeye State," featured a discussion on the impact of global geopolitical events on Ohio's energy supplies, a detailed assessment of the specific requirements and economic impacts of the most prominent federal climate change legislation, and an expert assessment of the current state of advanced and renewable technologies that will be critical to reducing carbon emissions and sustaining Ohio's economy.

The conference concluded with an address on global climate change legislation by Senator Voinovich, who discussed the role of technology in meeting Ohio's energy and environmental challenges.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

Read the speech.

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