[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   KYOTO PROTOCOL AND CLIMATE CHANGE

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge that the 
international global warming pact known as the Kyoto Protocol has 
entered into force. This happens only 7 years after it was negotiated.
  The Protocol imposes limits on emissions of greenhouse gases that 
scientists blame for increasing world temperatures. As my colleagues 
know, President Bush decided to abandon the Protocol and any serious 
international negotiations on the matter in March 2001. That unilateral 
abandonment leaves the world to wonder why the Nation that contributes 
the most greenhouse gas emissions to the world atmosphere refuses to 
accept responsibility for these emissions and refuses to cooperate with 
the international community to curb the global warming threat.
  I assume it was no coincidence that the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works, on which I serve as ranking member, was supposed to 
consider legislation today called the Clear Skies Act. If passed, this 
legislation will create anything but clear skies.
  The bill rolls back steady progress under the Clean Air Act and 
actually would increase this country's greenhouse gas emissions more 
than no legislation. The chairman of the committee has decided to take 
more time to craft this measure, due in no small part to the fact that 
the bill lacks the support in committee to be approved and reported to 
the Senate today. I commend the chairman for making that decision 
today--the same day the Kyoto Protocol has taken effect--to more 
carefully consider this important measure.
  In the coming weeks as we discuss this legislation, I hope that we 
can reach agreement on a bill that truly does clear our skies. To me, 
that means a bill that not only improves upon the Clean Air Act, but 
that also addresses our Nation's greenhouse gas emissions.
  Yesterday, on the eve of the Kyoto Protocol entering into force, a 
White House spokesman stated that the United States has made an 
unprecedented commitment to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas 
emissions in a way that continues to grow our economy. Mr. President, I 
have seen no evidence of this commitment.
  For my part, I have already introduced the Clean Power Act of 2005. I 
also intend to introduce the Renewable Portfolio Standard Act of 2005 
and the Electric Reliability Security Act of 2005, two bills designed 
to use our resources more efficiently.
  If President Bush signed into law a measure that caps or truly 
required reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases, evidence of a 
real commitment would be apparent, not just to me but to the entire 
world. I call upon my Senate and House colleagues to mark the occasion 
of the Kyoto Protocol's entering into force by embarking upon serious 
work to craft legislation that imposes credible deadlines to achieve 
caps and significant reductions to our Nation's sizeable and growing 
contribution of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

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