Senator Klobuchar Offers Global Warming Solutions. Announces New "Carbon Busters" Awards Program

Press Release

Senator Klobuchar Offers Global warming solutions. Announces New "Carbon Busters" Awards Program

Delivering a major policy speech on global warming at the University of Minnesota, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced a new "Carbon Busters" awards program to recognize efforts by local governments, businesses and students in Minnesota to reduce global warming.

"Global warming is on the rise, with enormous consequences for our world and our economy," said Klobuchar. "Technology and innovation will be key to solving our climate and energy problems. We have the opportunity to develop revolutionary new technologies and create whole new industries."

She said that Minnesota is at the forefront of positive change with breakthrough research at the University of Minnesota, a thriving ethanol and biofuels industry, and a new state law establishing the nation's most aggressive standard for renewable energy in electricity production. "Global warming is an issue that has finally moved out of the science labs and seminar rooms of the university," said Klobuchar. "It has entered into the everyday conversations of people from all walks of life."

Klobuchar said that, until now, Washington has accomplished little on the issue - even as the public, the business community, and state and local governments have taken the lead.

She said the opportunities for federal action are much better with the new Congress. "They used to be bogged down in a debate about whether global warming even exists," said Klobuchar. "Now we're focused on solutions."

Klobuchar holds a distinctive position as a member of three Senate committees currently addressing the issue of global warming: Environment and Public Works; Commerce; and Agriculture.

In her speech, Klobuchar outlined seven priority areas for federal action:

- Establish economy-wide limits on greenhouse gas emissions, with a "cap-and-trade" system that allows companies to adapt to these limits in the most efficient, least costly way. - Create a national reporting ("carbon counter") system to identify and measure all sources of greenhouse gas emissions to enable the cap-and-trade system to work most effectively.

- Promote energy-efficiency and conservation efforts, including office buildings and homes.

- Provide standards and incentives for greater fuel efficiency and use of renewable fuels with vehicles.

- Adopt renewable energy standards for electricity production to accelerate the transition away from carbon-polluting energy sources.

- Harness the potential of the agriculture sector to deliver new forms of renewable energy, including cellulosic ethanol.

- Become a world leader by advancing international solutions to climate change.

"We each have a role, and there is plenty for all of us to do," said Klobuchar. "If we work together, we can turn the corner on the devastating effects of global warming and we can take giant strides toward a new future that is fueled by homegrown renewable energy."

Klobuchar's answer to global warming: "silver buckshot" (Minnesota Public Radio)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., says there is no "silver bullet" solution to combating global warming; she argues what Congress really needs is "silver buckshot." Minnesota's junior senator proposed a multi-pronged approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a speech Monday at the University of Minnesota.

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