Abby L. Harvey
GHG Monitor
1/23/2015
President Barack Obama pledged this week to prevent Congress from undoing steps his Administration has taken to combat climate change domestically and internationally. “Over the past six years, we’ve done more than ever to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy, to the way we use it. That’s why we’ve set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And that’s why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts,” Obama said during this year’s State of the Union address.
While he did not mention any specific domestic actions being taken, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed carbon emissions standards for new and existing coal plants Obama did explicitly call attention to a joint agreement reached with China this fall to reduce emissions. “I am determined to make sure American leadership drives international action,” Obama said. “In Beijing, we made a historic announcement: the United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution, and China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world’s two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up, and offering hope that, this year, the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we’ve got.”
Under the joint agreement with China, the United States committed to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and China has committed to setting targets for peak CO2 emissions by 2030 or earlier and to increase non-fossil fuel energy production to 20 percent of its energy mix by 2030. The two countries also made a commitment to pursue a joint carbon capture, utilization and storage project which will be located in China and will use captured carbon for enhanced water recovery.
Address Draws Mixes Response
Obama did not directly address the EPA’s proposed carbon regulations, which would essentially mandate the use of carbon capture and storage technology on all new-build coal-fired power plants and require states to develop action plans to meet EPA developed state-specific carbon emissions reduction targets. However, much of the response to the President’s address focused heavily on the proposed rules. “The Administration should reverse its ill-advised power plant proposals, which will force soaring power costs on American families,” Peabody Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Boyce said in a statement, adding that “next generation carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) should be prioritized for commercialization along with development of a clear legal and regulatory path. CCUS should enjoy the same incentives as all energy sources.”
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity also called for a reversal of the proposed regulations and urged Congress to continue efforts to overturn them. “President Obama failed to offer answers about the calamitous consequences of his environmental regulations. Rather than seek a common sense energy plan for America, President Obama bypassed Congress and is forging ahead with his climate crusade at the expense of the nation’s economic security,” ACCCE President and CEO Mike Duncan said in a statement. “The president faced a new and energized Congress that has vowed to rein in the EPA and put an end to his administration’s overreaching regulatory agenda. At such an important moment, lawmakers across the country must stand firm in their opposition against regulations that attack the well-being of their constituents and economies.”
Various environmental organizations applauded the actions of the Administration, however, including Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who said in a statement that Obama reaffirmed “his commitment to leave a safer and healthier planet for our children and future generations by working to combat dangerous climate change. His Clean Power Plan — with America’s first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants — is just what we need,” Shu went on to criticize Congress for attempting to overturn the rules. “We also must shut down the Republican big polluters’ agenda in Congress, which seeks to roll back health and environmental laws that have protected our families and communities for decades. The GOP game plan is all about blocking action on climate — and is devoid of solutions,” she said.
A need for Congressional action was also called for by Bob Perciasepe, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. “The administration’s climate strategy is helping states, companies and communities to innovate to cut emissions, expand clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. We will ultimately need action by Congress to get the job done. But for now, the president is right to move the country forward with the tools Congress has already provided,” he said.
