Climate Solutions Act-- Doing Something About Climate Change

Last year, during the crowded primary battle over the seat Henry Waxman was giving up, I brought a Capitol Hill staffer to a small dinner with then-state Senator Ted Lieu. My friend the staffer asked Ted why he would even want to go to Washington since it's so difficult to get anything done. He was impressed by Ted's record of accomplishment in Sacramento and warned him it would be a lot rougher in DC. Ted said he wanted to go to Congress for his young children-- because if we don't address climate change it may be too late for our children. Yesterday Congressman Ted Lieu introduced the Climate Solutions Act.

"Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and an increasingly hotter climate prove that climate change is an existential threat to humankind," said Congressman Lieu. "That’s why, to commemorate Earth Day, I have introduced the Climate Solutions Act. The Act tackles climate change by focusing on three areas: slashing carbon pollution, implementing bold renewable portfolio standards, and setting landmark energy efficiency standards. History books will one day say that America led the way on addressing climate change and saving our planet-- or there will be no history books. We must act on climate now."



In explaining his new bill to his constituents, Lieu complained that "Climate change is a defining issue of our time, but there is no debate in Congress on the issue. In contrast, leaders in business, health and faith are calling for an end to the pollution that is damaging our land, water and climate." This is the analysis he sent CA-33 residents:

TITLE I-- R E N E W A B L E  E N E R G Y  P O R T F O L I O

Investing in and developing renewable energy sources is the key to America’s success in the 21st Century Economy. Title I empowers the Department of Energy to set a renewable energy portfolio goal of 40% of all electric energy  to  come  from  renewable  sources  by  2030  and  80%  by 2050.

TITLE II-- E N E R G Y  E F F I C I E N C Y  S T A N D A R D

It’s time to produce more energy-saving appliances for our homes and machines for our businesses, designed and manufactured by American workers. Title II allows the Department of Energy to increase energy efficiency savings targets, starting in 2018 and increasing each year after until 2028.

TITLE III-- C A R B O N  P O L L U T I O N

Increasingly dangerous and destructive levels of carbon pollution account for practically all of global climate change. The Climate Solutions Act instructs the EPA to set historic targets for reducing carbon pollution: 40% below 1990 levels by 2035 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Climate Change science is not only real; it’s the key to protecting the health of our families and the safety of planet Earth. The Climate Solutions Act empowers the National Academies of Science and National Research Council to recommend increasingly bold and innovative solutions to tackle Climate Change.

In order to meet these carbon pollution reduction goals, EPA is empowered to issue regulations that cut carbon  pollution. Title III sets a starting point for states to reduce carbon pollution and thereby doesn't impede more ambitious action on the state level.