Source:
Associated PressLawmakers Propose Cap on EmissionsWednesday July 11, 2007 9:46 PM
By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation can begin to address the risks of
climate change while avoiding harm to the economy, senators said
Wednesday in unveiling anti-pollution legislation.
The bill would establish a mandatory cap on carbon dioxide emissions
from power plants, refineries and industrial plants but allow companies
to trade emission credits and avoid making emissions cuts if the
costs become too high.
-snip-The bill would establish carbon emission limits throughout industry
to assure that the releases do not grow significantly over the next
two decades. Carbon emissions would have to be at 2006 levels in
2030, instead of growing at the rate of more than 1 percent a year
as is projected without emissions caps.
But many environmentalist - and a number of senators - argue that
more stringent restrictions are needed to prevent the kind of warming
that will result in dangerous climate change, ice cap melting and
sea level rises.
-snip-