Van Hollen Statement on U.S.-China Agreement on Climate and Clean Energy

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on the agreement between the United States and China to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase clean energy production:

"The joint U.S.-China announcement is a significant step forward in the effort to reduce global carbon pollution and begin to address the real threats of severe climate change. As the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gasses, it is critical that we put forward ambitious, science-based commitments to reduce emissions and protect our citizens from the devastating impacts of climate change. I fully support these pledges and believe they will help set the stage for a strong international agreement in Paris next year. I also believe Congress can and should both reinforce and expand on this progress by passing comprehensive climate legislation like the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2014, a market-based plan I introduced earlier this year to auction carbon credits and return the proceeds to the American people."

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