ACCCE Statement Regarding the Kerry-Boxer, 'Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act'

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Statement on behalf of Stephen L. Miller, President and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), in response to the Kerry-Boxer draft, "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:"

"ACCCE supports the adoption of a mandatory federal carbon management program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We believe any such program must be based on three goals: 1) bringing new technologies to the marketplace to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 2) driving down the cost of deploying these technologies to protect access to affordable, reliable energy; and 3) meeting America's growing energy demand and the need for more energy independence with domestic fuels, including coal--America's most abundant fuel resource.

"Regarding today's introduction of cap-and-trade legislation entitled, 'The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act,' we want to recognize the work by Chairwoman Boxer and Chairman Kerry to provide a starting point for debating climate change legislation in the Senate.

"While it is not possible to provide comprehensive comments on the bill yet, our initial review indicates that the bill recognizes the importance of investing in new technologies, including carbon capture and storage. At the same time, it appears that much work remains to be done in other areas.

"For example, the bill's aggressive emissions reduction target for 2020 may lead to short-sighted and expensive strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector. The bill allows only two years for EPA to write dozens of new rules and for thousands of sources to come into compliance with the rules. ACCCE believes, with sufficient time and appropriate incentives for technology, we can reduce emissions and avoid unnecessary increases in electricity prices.

"Equally important, the Kerry - Boxer bill does not provide a mechanism to guarantee protection for consumers against the possibility of price spikes, especially in the early phase of any cap-and-trade program. A number of other critical issues will also need to be addressed as the Senate considers climate change legislation.

"As the Senate deliberates, ACCCE pledges to continue working constructively to pass sound climate change legislation that will enhance economic prosperity, promote greater energy independence and improve the environment."

About ACCCE

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE supports energy policies that balance coal's vital role in meeting our country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity with near-zero emissions. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org

SOURCE American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity

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http://www.cleancoalusa.org
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