FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 14 MAY 2007
Contact: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384


         Bush Can Act Now To Tackle Oil Dependence, Global Warming
                    No Need to Wait on Federal Agencies

          Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

"Cities, states, major corporations, our leaders in Congress, and even the
Supreme Court have all called for meaningful action to fight global warming
and end our dangerous dependence on oil--both issues of national security.
It is encouraging that the President is now also showing interest in
tackling some of our most pressing problems; however, he already enjoys the
clear authority to address these problems and he can and should act
immediately to do so.  There is no reason to wait until the end of 2008 for
federal agencies to act.

"Most importantly, the President has existing authority to raise fuel
economy standards the 4 percent per year he promised in the State of the
Union.  If he does that, it will be similar to the Markey-Platts bill in
the House and stronger than the Senate CAFE bill that came out of the
Commerce Committee last week.  It's great that everyone from Ted Stevens to
Barack Obama to President Bush wants to improve fuel economy at 4 percent a
year.  Such an increase would dramatically cut both our oil consumption and
global warming emissions.

"A key element of the President’s plan is a dramatic increase in the
production of alternative fuels.  Biofuels, particularly next generation
fuels like cellulosic ethanol, hold great promise in reducing our dangerous
dependence on oil and our global warming emissions.  However, a dramatic
increase in biofuels production done without important safeguards in place
could result in negative consequences for both the environment and other
sectors of the economy.
"The President’s proposal also relies on creating a new liquid coal
industry.  Liquid coal is the dirtiest, most dangerous energy choice we
could now make.

"Fourteen states, representing some 40 percent of the U.S. auto market,
have adopted California’s landmark global warming emissions standards for
automobiles.  California and the other states are still waiting for
permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement them.  The
first hearing in this process is next week and the EPA should act without
delay in approving this waiver as soon as possible.

"The President’s authority to regulate global warming emissions under the
Clean Air Act is also crystal clear.  The Supreme Court spoke firmly on
this matter and we hope that today’s announcement is the first step in a
serious effort to promulgate meaningful regulations to begin reducing our
global warming emissions.

"It is vital that we move quickly to address our global warming and energy
problems and we look forward to seeing more detailed proposals from the
administration to do so."


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