Energy and Environment
It is possible to create legislation that protects both our environment and our economy. By advocating a multi-faceted and common-sense approach to our nation's environmental energy problems, we can set the stage for a cleaner tomorrow.
As chairman of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety subcommittee, I have sought for stronger clean air laws and have urged Congress to combat global warming, which stands as one of our greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Clean Air and Global Warming — Since coming to the U.S. Senate, I've been working hard on environmental issues related to cleaning the nation's air and reducing the threat of global warming.
Clean Air — Unfortunately, Delaware is what I call "at the end of America's tailpipe." Other states' dirty emissions from cars and power plants drift east, causing pollution that Delaware cannot regulate. Since 2002, I have proposed legislation that would make all states clean-up their major fossil-fuel utility emissions. The Clean Air Planning Act (CAPA) is a multi-pollutant approach that provides an aggressive - yet achievable - schedule for power plants to reduce emissions and alleviate some of our worst air-related health and environmental problems, such as ozone, acid rain, mercury contamination and global warming.
I have also been very active on efforts to clean up old, dirty diesel engines. Dirty diesel emissions are linked to 21,000 premature deaths, hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks, millions of lost work days, and numerous other health impacts. I was one of the co-authors of legislation the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act or DERA that created a grant program to clean up our old diesel fleet. Not only does DERA help clean-up the air, but creating a demand for diesel retrofits also creates a demand for new jobs. And just recently, it was found that diesel emissions are a global warming agent.
The DERA program today produces $13 in health and economic benefits for every $1 of spending - making it one of the nation's most successful clean air programs. I call DERA a win-win-win, and that's why I will continue to work hard to maintain funding for DERA.
Climate — I believe that global warming is one of the biggest challenges I may ever seen come before the Congress. I support an economy-wide approach to climate change and remain committed to getting a bill passed this Congress.
We now that we cannot get the climate change emission reductions from our transportation sector just from vehicle emission reductions and changes in fuel alone. That's why I introduced CLEAN TEA legislation to reserve a portion of climate change auction proceeds to change Americans' driving habits by funding rail, transit, bike and pedestrian trails and other alternative forms of transportation.
Recycling — I was the founder and now the co-chair of the Senate Recycling Caucus. In the past, I have supported recycling legislation, but I've also made sure my colleagues and I improve our own recycling practices. I was successful at getting strong recycling language in the last climate change bill - and expect to remain active on recycling issues during this year's climate debate. I also worked with my colleagues to enact the Recycling Investment Saves Energy (RISE) Act in 2008, which will increase America's capabilities to recycle, while creating new green jobs for American workers.
Nuclear Power — I have been a long-time supporter of clean energy, such as nuclear energy. I believe clean, safe energy is what this country needs and what nuclear power has to offer. Nuclear power provides solutions to many problems facing America today. It will help reduce our reliance on foreign oil, and reduce air pollution that damages our environment and causes global warming. As chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and our nation's civilian nuclear operations, I want to ensure this essential federal agency protects the public's health and security. I will continue to hold congressional oversight hearings to ensure that we have a strong, robust and safe nuclear industry.
Fuel-Efficiency — On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act into law. This comprehensive package is a strong, first step to secure America's energy future by reducing our reliance on foreign oil and reducing harmful emissions into our air. The cornerstone of this energy legislation is a compromise I helped negotiate to increase the fleet-wide fuel economy average for cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the United States by roughly 10 miles per gallon by 2020 - or from 25 miles per gallon today to 35 miles per gallon overall. Increasing fuel efficiency will cut our oil consumption by 1.1 million barrels per day and reduce the emissions of more than 192 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year by 2020. At the same time, it will save the average family with two cars up to $1,000 a year in gasoline costs.
Last year, I also sponsored legislation to improve the Department of Defense authorization bill to require the federal government to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids, fuel cells and clean diesels.
Wetlands — With Delaware playing a vital role in coastal ecology - serving as a rest stop for millions of migrating birds - I have been a long supporter of wetland conservation. As governor, I enacted the Inland Bays Watershed Enhancement Act, which established a center to restore and protect the three, interconnected bodies of water in southeastern Delaware. I will continue to support wetland conservation in the Senate in the coming years.