McCain Climate Bill Important Step Forward

January 12, 2007

Senator John McCain's expected reintroduction of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be an important step in realizing meaningful climate change legislation this Congress, Republicans for Environmental Protection, a national grassroots organization whose membership includes elected officials, said today.

The McCain-Lieberman legislation should be the cornerstone of efforts to craft an effective national climate policy.

"As evidence mounts that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are causing climate change, we are pleased to see that Senator McCain will introduce this prudent, market-oriented legislation that will reduce these emissions and help stabilize our climate. Senator McCain has been the foremost champion in Congress for acting on this threat, and it is encouraging to see that more lawmakers are beginning to respond to the serious risks that a changing climate poses for our economy, security, and way of life," said REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins.

"Conservatism imposes a moral obligation on the present generation to restrain wasteful consumption, treat the world with reverence, and protect the inheritance of future generations. Our duty in regard to climate change is clear. We must reduce emissions that cause global warming," Jenkins said.

"The good news is that legislation like McCain's will encourage households, businesses, and institutions to reduce emissions in ways that cut energy costs, create market opportunities for new energy technologies, and reduce our country's dangerous dependence on oil," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said. "We look forward to working with Senator McCain and his Republican colleagues to build support for his bill and get it enacted into law."