By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org
News Staff
Here’s how local
environmentalists reacted to President Obama’s June 25 announcement for cutting U.S. carbon emissions.
Geoff Berg of Citizens Climate Lobby Rhode Island likes the idea of carbon pollution
standards for new and existing power plants, but enforcement is needed to make
it work. "Let’s put some regulatory teeth on the table to begin with.”
CCL advocates for
federal legislation to establish a $15 fee per ton on fossil fuels emission.
The funds would be paid to U.S. citizens as a monthly dividend, equal to $250
annually. The fee would add 13 cents to the price of gas.
Sen. Sheldon
Whitehouse During his 37th “Time
to Wake Up Speech” on the Senate floor, Whitehouse remarked that Obama’s plan
was the first ever show of progress on addressing climate change by the federal
government. He called the plan “bold.” Like CCL, Whitehouse advocates for a
carbon tax on fossil fuels and returning the dividend to citizens.
Until now, he said, power plant polluters were getting a “free ride." “They are harming all of us with their emissions and paying no price for it.” Whitehouse wants a portion of the revenue from the tax to go to low-income households to offset the added expenses caused by climate change. The remainder might pay down the federal deficit or be paid as a $360 annual dividend to each American.
Until now, he said, power plant polluters were getting a “free ride." “They are harming all of us with their emissions and paying no price for it.” Whitehouse wants a portion of the revenue from the tax to go to low-income households to offset the added expenses caused by climate change. The remainder might pay down the federal deficit or be paid as a $360 annual dividend to each American.
Abel Collins, program manager Rhode Island Chapter of the
Sierra Club, said "President Obama said all the right things and
some unexpected ones as well, encouraging the blossoming divestment movement
and expressing serious reservations about the Keystone XL Pipeline that he will
have a hard time walking back. However, his actions must be equal to his words,
and it's up to us to hold him accountable."
Marion Gold, director of the state Office
of Energy Resources,
said she is excited by the President's announcement and looks forward to
participating in an upcoming conference call with Obama officials on the issue.
“We’re pleased to see the leadership at the federal level,” she said.
Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, chairman of the House Committee
on the Environment and Natural Resources likes that Obama’s plan offers
technical and staffing assistance for state climate planning programs. The
timeline and benchmarks are also similar to goals outlined in Handy’s pending
climate mitigation legislation for the state. “It will help us reach
our goals as we move ahead,” Handy said.
Channing Jones program associate for Environment Rhode Island is pleased the president is going after
power plants to cut carbon pollution. “We know that this plan is just one
important step in a multi-year effort, and that the proof of the plan’s success
will be in the pudding.”
Nick Katkevich of Fossil Free RI "The escalating climate justice and dirty energy
resistance movements are having a real impact. President Obama's speech
calling for emission reductions is a direct result of these movements. While
the plan laid out by the President clearly is not aggressive enough to take on
the climate crisis, it's a firm step on the path towards a clean energy
revolution."
Jamie Rhodes director of Clean Water Action Rhode Island and president of the Environment Council
of Rhode Island. “Until his plan moves forward, we don’t know how it’s going to
play out.”
Clean Water Action’s
national office plans to use its one million members to back Obama’s
initiative.” Senators or Representatives who side with the polluters and
attempt to get in the way will be held accountable,” said Clean Water Action
CEO Bob Wendelgass.