White House proposals on climate change and clean air will loom large this September when Congress returns to session. Most Congressional Democrats and a handful of influential Republicans—most notably Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)—want a recorded vote on mandatory carbon dioxide emission controls as Congress considers energy reform legislation. McCain and Democratic presidential contender Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) want to stabilize US greenhouse emissions for major industrial sectors at year 2000 levels by the year 2010, an action the White House opposes. The administration agrees with the view of several industry trade groups that a CO2 rule is premature because it is not based on sound science or economics.
Strategic plan issued
Instead of mandatory targets, the White House wants to "broaden scientific understanding of climate variability and change issues." To that end, President George W. Bush recently issued a multiagency federal plan detailing a 10-year research and development blueprint for the future.
The White House said the document reflects "an unprecedented outreach to interested parties, including some 1,200 scientists and stakeholders and representatives of over 35 countries." The resulting climate change plan emphasizes spending federal dollars on research and development as well as adopting a "measured" approach that guarantees future policy decisions are based on the best science.
In a related move, Sec. of Commerce Don Evans announced a $103 million, 2-year federal initiative to accelerate new global observation technologies that focus on oceans and atmospheric aerosols and carbon.
"The Bush administration has brought a total government spending on climate change-related programs to $4.5 billion. This critical investment announced today will accelerate select high priority research projects and climate observations that will help us fill critical knowledge gaps," Evans said.
Congressional criticism
Reflecting the concerns of many environmentalists, Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) said that the Bush administration's latest plan still refuses to accept that there already is a consensus among the world's scientists regarding "real problems" presented by global change.
"Considering its history on climate change, the Bush administration's current push for more basic research is suspect. This is the same administration that has rejected US involvement in the Kyoto Treaty process and edited honest assessment of climate change from a variety of government reports. We must fund research, but we must also be certain that it is more than academic—it must also be useful in the real world," said Udall.
Environmental group concerns aside, getting more federally funded research may be a tough sell in this Congress, industry lobbyists contend. Key lawmakers so far appear unconvinced the research program in its current form is worth the money.
But budget issues will look like a minor skirmish compared to what the White House faces later this year on Capitol Hill. Administration efforts to revamp stationary source air pollution controls through its "Clear Skies" program are expected to face increasing scrutiny, especially given that so-called "green issues" are typically seen as an important campaign issue.
