Dingell/Boucher Release 1st Climate Change White Paper

Oct 3: The House Energy & Commerce Committee, Chaired by Representative John Dingell (D-MI), and the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, Chaired by Rick Boucher (D-VA), released the first in a series of Climate Change White Papers. According to Dingell and Boucher, "The purpose of this effort is to focus the discussion in the Congress as we move towards the development and eventual passage of comprehensive climate change legislation." The two also released a Dear Colleague letter and a Memo to Members. The first of the Climate Change Legislation Design White Papers deals with "Scope of a Cap-and-Trade Program."

According to the Dear Colleague Letter, "Out goal is to reduce green house gas emissions between 60 and 80 percent by 2050. This is an ambitious target and one that we believe is best achieved with a cap and trade system as the cornerstone of national policy. The white paper being release today discusses the overall benefits of a cap-and-trade system and suggests the sectors of the economy that should be included. It also raises a number of important points for discussion regarding policy details. Subsequent white papers will address other topics, including but not limited to: cap levels and timetables; costs containment mechanisms; carbon sequestration; offsets and credits; the role and obligations of developing countries; and the distribution of emissions allowances." According to the Memo, hearings will be held on some of the topics to receive further details and suggestions.

Access the 22-page Cap-and-Trade Program white paper (click here). Access the Memo to Members (click here). Access the Dear Colleague Letter (click here). [*Climate]