ACEEE PRESS BRIEF
PRESIDENT BUSH COMES UP EMPTY ON CLIMATE
CHANGE POLICY
For further information, contact: Steven Nadel at
202-429-8873
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today President Bush made his most
extensive remarks on Global Climate Change since he assumed office.
Unfortunately, according to leading energy efficiency experts, his
remarks will do little to address the problem. "Bush's only
proposals today were to expand a couple of research initiatives,"
stated Steven Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for
an Energy-Efficient Economy. "We are glad to hear that President
Bush recognizes that climate change is a problem, but now is the
time to propose real solutions rather than more research."
In his speech, President Bush called for creation of a National
Climate Change Technology Initiative "to strengthen research" and
"fund demonstration projects." But President Bush neglected to say
how much money would be allocated to the Initiative. "In fact,
President Bush's budget for next year cuts $180 million in funding
from energy efficiency R&D and deployment programs. If the
President is serious about expanding implementations of clean energy
technologies, he must bite the bullet and come up with additional
funds for it. Otherwise, he's just making empty promises," Nadel
said.
President Bush (Senior) and President Clinton increased funding
for clean energy technologies and initiated other voluntary programs
to cut carbon dioxide emissions (the main gas causing global
warming). These were worthwhile actions, but they failed to halt the
rise in carbon dioxide emissions during the 1990s. "Based on past
experience, the voluntary actions mentioned by the President
today—even if adequately funded—will not stop growth in U.S. carbon
dioxide emissions in the future," said Nadel.
President Bush missed another opportunity to commit to specific
actions that would substantially lower U.S. energy use and carbon
dioxide emissions. Among the actions that should be taken:
- Raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards on
new cars and light trucks;
- Reverse the rollback of air conditioner standards previously
announced by the Bush Administration and propose to set new
efficiency standards on other products;
- Adopt a national system benefit trust fund that would help
restore funding for energy efficiency programs that have been
reduced or eliminated by many states and utilities; and
- Adopt a comprehensive set of tax incentives for
energy-efficient technologies including highly efficient
appliances, heating and cooling systems, new homes, and commercial
buildings.
According to ACEEE research, these policies can reduce U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10% by 2010. "Taking
leadership on climate change requires concrete and strong actions.
President Bush's statement today fell well short of such
leadership," concluded Nadel.
