It sounds like that if we get any bill now, it is going to be cap and trade. That said, I find it hopeful that we will not get a bill this year–in this case a bad bill is worse than no bill.

Let us hope that the passage of time will give Boxer and others time to unwrap their minds around cap and trade so that there will be the possibility of their embracing the eminently more nimble and sensible carbon “tax”.

One question on the Principles for Global Warming Legislation

“1. Reduce emissions to levels guided by science to avoid dangerous global warming. ”

This is so broad, simple and all that we need. But to me that suggests halting all carbon fuels now. This kind of statement of principles is necessary… but what does that mean the first step should be?

That’s why all this talk of urgency and “keep pressure on and make this happen quickly”.

Reality is catching up with you. Soon.

If Bab’s is still barking the climate change next year, she won’t be a Senator much longer.

[JR: Meds, people, meds!]

Maybe it’s just me, but I never get a good feeling when our elected officials refer to us as consumers as opposed to citizens. Keeping consumers “whole” implies the desire to arrive back at a happy mall-hopping future. Good luck with that! Instead of supporting consumers and their (our) debt-inflated standard of living, maybe we should be trying to protect and improve the quality of life of the citizens of a) our country, and b) our planet. Just a thought.

Brian

http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/ index.php/ csw/ details/ principles_for_global_warming_legislation_our_views/

And remember, even after a cap-and-trade law is passed, it will take months, perhaps years, to draft all the regulations and get a program up and running. And utilities and other emitters may slow the process further by filing suits. We need to take additional actions sooner than that to reduce emissions and deal with impacts.

How’s this for some specifics:

0. Setup serious science programs that measures change, researches and reports regularly. Block any bill that cannot pass scientific approval. Every politician should know science facts, and should know the harm that delay causes.

1. Halt all new coal plants immediately. Halt all new coal mines.
See Hansen’s release today http://www.columbia.edu/ ~jeh1/ mailings/ 2009/ 20090203_CoalRiverMountain.pdf

2. Tax all hydrocarbon energy energy immediately while you haggle about carbon markets. Progressively increase the tax – rising each year while you fix the poorly designed, carbon markets run by corrupt banks and financial institutions. Give full tax relief on any carbon fuels that are used to manufacture or install clean energy systems or grids. Structure new taxes to encourage clean energy while you perfect carbon markets.

3. Extra tax on coal tailings and soot and emissions. If you can make clean coal work then no taxes… so go for it. Otherwise, super tax.

4. Shut down the PR wing of the carbon fuel companies… they are bothersome like tobacco advertising. Their goal is delay, they are obstructing change. The ONLY valid use for carbon fuel is to build electric cars, wind, solar, insulation and power grids. Nationalize the energy companies if you must.

5. Do whatever it takes to lower CO2 levels.. and start now.

Even I want to put some of these suggestions aside while holding out for a healthy economy and improving climate. But we are Waiting for Godot here.

Government can act now.

Care to predict what the CO2 level will be a year from now or when a bill is passed and signed?

Data trends suggests it will be 387.9

http://www.reuters.com/ article/ environmentNews/ idUSTRE51267620090203

By all means, we need to do everything we can to keep pressure on and make this happen quickly, but it does sound like she is pushing for something quickly. Now, how meaningful and effective will that something be? That’s the real question…

And you are right – there is much action to be taken without waiting for a comprehensive bill to come forward.

Luckily we’ve got the legislative brain trust of North Dakota on the case, so we’ve got nothing to worry about.