Global warming bills gather support
More than 115 members of Congress have cosponsored the Safe Climate Act, a science-based bill to dramatically reduce global warming pollution. Introduced in late June by Rep. Henry Waxman (Calif.), the bill requires the United States to reduce its global warming pollution by about 15 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050.

To help boost cosponsorship of the bill, we released “Rising to the Challenge: Six Steps to Cut Global Warming Pollution in the United States.” The report lists six strategies that, if implemented, could achieve these reductions, while improving America’s environment and our energy security. Recommendations include increasing gas mileage standards to 40 miles per gallon.

Coastal drilling setback is oil industry giveaway
As this newsletter goes to press, Congress is expected to vote on a bill that would end the decades-old moratorium on oil and gas drilling off of most of America’s shores.

Despite a successful May 18 House vote to uphold the ban on new offshore drilling, our shores are not protected. In July, Sens. Domenici (N.M.), Martinez (Fla.), Landrieu (La.) introduced and passed a bill to open up 8.3 million acres of ocean off Florida’s coast to oil and gas drilling.

“Opening our shores to drilling would put our scenic beaches and coastal waters at great risk for a small, short-term supply of oil and gas,” said Oceans Advocate Mike Gravitz. “Routine drilling operations dump thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the marine environment and could spoil the delicate ecology and economic value of America’s beautiful beaches for generations.”

According to the Minerals Management Service, the new areas of the Gulf of Mexico that this bill would open contain approximately 525 million barrels of oil or about 26 days worth of oil at current consumption rates.

New air quality standards reject science, endanger millions
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized new national air quality standards for particle “soot” pollution in September. Under the standard recommended by EPA’s own scientists, emissions would be reduced to 25 µg/m3 per day, the level of soot pollution deemed safe to breathe in one day. The Bush administration instead chose a more industry-friendly standard, one that allows 35 µg/m3 per day.

The American Lung Association and numerous medical and public health groups had urged EPA to adopt much stricter soot limits to reduce the number of emergency room visits caused by soot pollution.

“We are extremely disappointed in the Bush administration’s decision to turn its back on the clear scientific facts about this deadly pollutant,” said Clean Air & Energy Advocate Emily Figdor.