[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5741]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF THE CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that global 
warming is happening and that man is contributing to it. Now, it is our 
responsibility to work to mitigate the impacts of potentially 
catastrophic climate change.
  It is clear we must begin taking steps to reduce U.S. emissions and 
the Climate Stewardship Act lays out a scientifically sound, 
economically feasible and environmentally progressive formula for doing 
so.
  By limiting the combined global warming emissions of major polluters, 
creating a trading market for emissions allowances and reductions 
through a National Greenhouse Gas Database, and funding transition 
assistance for workers, industries and consumers, this bill takes a 
responsible first step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a 
way that is timely, meaningful and cost-effective.
  The Climate Stewardship Act targets emissions from the electricity 
generation, transportation, industrial, and commercial economic 
sectors, which together account for 85 percent of overall U.S. 
greenhouse gas emissions. (Starting in 2010, the bill would cap U.S. 
aggregate emissions for the covered sectors at the 2000 level. The 
bill's emissions limits would not apply to the agricultural and the 
residential sectors.)
  It applies a successful, market-based approach to reducing emissions, 
and the result will be cleaner air and a healthier environment.
  The Climate Stewardship Act charts a new, more responsible course on 
climate policy and reflects a cognizance of the very real threat global 
warming poses to our Nation and the rest of the world.
  We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue our 
neglectful ways.

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