05/30/2008 GAAS:300:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Sends Letter to Senators Boxer, Lieberman and Warner on Climate Security Act
Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent the following
letter to U.S. Senators
Barbara Boxer, Joseph Lieberman and John Warner establishing California's key principles for any federal
climate legislation.
Text of the letter:
May 29, 2008
The Honorable Barbara Boxer The
Honorable John Warner
United States
Senate United States
Senate
410 Dirksen
Senate Office
Building 225 Russell
Senate Office Building
Washington DC
20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Joseph Lieberman
United
States Senate
706 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington
DC 20510
Dear Chairman Boxer, Senator Lieberman and Senator Warner,
I write to commend your leadership in bringing the Boxer-Lieberman-Warner
Substitute Amendment to the Climate Security Act to the floor of the
Senate for what likely will prove to be a historic debate. Thank you, too, for your efforts to recognize
the central role of states like California
in any viable national climate change solution.
A partnership of efforts at the federal, state and local
levels is critical to achieving our shared emission reduction goals. State policies promoting energy efficiency
and clean technology will drive a large share of the necessary greenhouse gas
emission reductions, ease costs to consumers and businesses and help
communities adapt to the impacts of unavoidable climate change.
As you are well aware, California
is dedicated to its comprehensive climate policy program. I remain committed to fighting alongside you
to preserve and strengthen key principles in this bill that I believe are
essential for any federal climate legislation, including:
- Explicit support for the vital role of state and local climate policy;
- Preservation of state authority to pursue a full range of climate programs;
- Use of program revenues to support the proven success of state, local and utility energy efficiency standards and programs;
- Funding for state and local programs to deploy low-carbon technologies that reduce emissions, create new jobs and strengthen American global competitiveness;
- Federal support for state adaptation efforts to adjust to unavoidable climate change impacts on our economies, agriculture, resources, infrastructure and wildlife.
Last year was one of the warmest on record. In our state, as well as across the country, we saw serious public challenges related to climate change, from dwindling water supplies to increased wildfire threats. Climate change does not pause as Congress deliberates the proper way to address the challenge. I urge you and your colleagues in the Senate to work together for passage of a bill that, combined with the leadership of states such as California, can help form a truly national climate change strategy.
Sincerely,
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
