Chamber Looks at Climate Change

 

 

 

The U.S. Chamber's Environment and Energy Committee huddled to discuss climate change and emerging environmental technologies at its spring meeting.

 

"It is the Chamber's policy to address climate change in a way that does no economic harm, is international in scope, and is based on technology," said Bill Kovacs, Chamber vice president of Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs.

 

Two panels featuring industry experts and the CEOs of leading energy producers and users discussed legislative and public policy options for addressing climate change, including legislative proposals for an emissions cap and trade program and a carbon tax. The panelists also discussed renewable energy sources as well as emerging clean coal technologies.

 

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) concluded the meeting with a presentation cautioning that a cap and trade program has proven unsuccessful in the European Union.

 

The Chamber is heavily engaged in the regulatory debate over clean air. Late last year, it asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for guidance on how businesses should comply with state and federal clean air requirements in light of increased pollution migrating into the United States from China, India, and other nations. Chamber staff members met with EPA researchers in May to discuss potential solutions.

 

Separately, the Chamber is part of a coalition urging EPA to maintain the current allowable standards on ozone emissions or at least ensure that any changes are based on the best publicly available scientific, economic, and risk-assessed information. "The ability to comply with clean air regulations affects business decisions on where to locate, whether to expand, and what equipment or technology to invest in," said Kovacs.

 

For more information, go to www.uschamber.com/environment.