FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2007
Contact:
Virginia Cramer, 202-675-6279
Sen. Reid Takes Stand Against Global Warming
Sierra Club Praises Actions
In response to Sen. Reid’s statement over the weekend opposing dirty coal
and supporting renewable energy, Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope
issued the following statement.
"Sen. Reid’s bold position on energy is exactly what this country needs. We
need to take decisive action now if we are to mitigate the worst effects of
global warming. Scientists tell us that we need to reduce our carbon
emissions 80 percent by 2050- that’s an achievable 2 percent a year.
However, as Sen. Reid has realized, we cannot achieve that goal if we
continue to build massively polluting coal-fired power plants.
"Instead of waiting for expensive clean coal technology to be developed, we
should be focusing instead on real, achievable solutions that can be
implemented now. We have the technology and the know-how today to move
toward a clean energy economy.
"By standing up for cleaner, renewable alternatives, Majority Leader Reid
is taking action for our future. Investing in efficiency and renewables
like solar and wind will not only help fight global warming, but also boost
the economy and create jobs.
"We hope that others in Congress will follow Sen. Reid’s example as they
work out a final energy bill- one that includes both the national Renewable
Electricity Standard (RES) passed in the House version and an increase in
fuel economy standards passed in the Senate. The groundwork has been laid
and now it’s time to enact an energy policy that focuses on renewable
energy, efficiency and a new energy economy designed to benefit the many,
not the few."
###