Bill Text: NC H1807 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Support Federal Climate Change Legislation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-05-19 - Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House [H1807 Detail]
Download: North_Carolina-2010-H1807-Amended.html
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2009
H 1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 1807*
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Sponsors: |
Representatives Harrison, Underhill, Wilkins (Primary Sponsors); K. Alexander, M. Alexander, Carney, Hughes, Insko, and Luebke. |
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Referred to: |
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House. |
May 19, 2010
A HOUSE RESOLUTION Requesting the President and the United States Congress to adopt legislation that promotes jobs and innovative energy development, strengthens national energy and economic security, positions the United States to be an international leader in the field of clean energy, and addresses the consequences of climate change without preempting states' rights to control emissions and to promote renewable energy, as recommended by the Legislative Commission on global Climate Change.
Whereas, most of the world's climate scientists have concluded that greenhouse gasses are causing the Earth's temperature to rise, resulting in global climate change; and
Whereas, in 2006 over 20% of the world's total energy‑related carbon dioxide was emitted by the United States, and 87% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States were related to fossil fuel combustion; and
Whereas, electricity generation and transportation are the two largest sources of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and are responsible for approximately 39% and 31%, respectively, of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels; and
Whereas, high oil prices reduce the purchasing power of American consumers, spur inflation, and boost the prices of basic goods and services; and
Whereas, the effects of unchecked climate change pose a threat to our nation's economy, public health, environment, and national security; and
Whereas, potential impacts of climate change include variability of precipitation, sea level rise, inundation of coastal communities, degradation of air quality, damage to infrastructure, and loss of plant and animal species; and
Whereas, climate change will directly affect industries, including tourism, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and skiing, and will disproportionately affect communities with limited resources to adapt and cope; and
Whereas, climate changes are already underway in the United States, are projected to grow, and include increased variability in precipitation, rising temperature and sea level, retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, lengthening growing seasons, lengthening ice‑free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and alterations in river flow; and
Whereas, climate change impacts will include increased heat, pests, water stress, diseases, and weather extremes that will pose adaptation challenges for crop and livestock production; and
Whereas, climate change will create health impacts related to heat stress, waterborne diseases, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and diseases transmitted by insects and rodents; and
Whereas, the effects of climate change include the increase of political and social instability in poorer regions of the world, thus presenting potential security challenges for the United States; and
Whereas, clean energy jobs are growing at a rate 250% faster than the rest of the economy; and
Whereas, the United States Energy Information Administration projects clean energy job growth of up to 2,000,000 new jobs resulting from comprehensive clean energy legislation; and
Whereas, the generation of electricity through the use of renewable energy presents opportunities to promote energy self‑sufficiency, create jobs and economic benefits, preserve natural resources, and improve the environment; and
Whereas, there is significant global competition for clean energy development that could weaken the United States economy and threaten American innovation without comprehensive clean energy legislation; and
Whereas, thousands of businesses, including, among others, members of the United States Climate Action Partnership and the Clean Economy Network, have joined together calling for comprehensive federal clean energy legislation; and
Whereas, over the past two decades, in the absence of comprehensive federal clean energy legislation, the states have been the true "laboratories of democracy" by advancing clean energy policies; and
Whereas, many states have adopted renewable energy standards and goals that require a significant percentage of a state's electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, wave, hydropower, biomass, and biofuels, which sources have led to significant job growth in the clean energy sector of the national economy; and
Whereas, state leadership has resulted in job growth and has reduced reliance on imported energy sources, thus resulting in opportunities for renewed economic development; and
Whereas, in 2002, the General Assembly enacted S.L. 2002‑4, commonly referred to as the Clean Smokestacks Act, that directed the public utilities in the State to substantially reduce their emissions of traditional air pollutants and directed State agencies to begin the process of identifying steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
Whereas, in accordance with the Clean Smokestacks Act, the Division of Air Quality of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has completed studies and made recommendations regarding greenhouse gas emissions and steps that can be taken to reduce emissions in the State; and
Whereas, in 2005, the General Assembly established the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change to study issues related to global climate change, the emerging carbon economy, and whether it is appropriate and desirable for the State to establish a greenhouse gas emissions pollutant reduction goal; and
Whereas, in 2007, the General Assembly established the first Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) in the Southeastern United States in order to promote the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the State; and
Whereas, in accordance with the REPS requirements, electric power providers in the State must use an increasing percentage of renewable energy resources and employ energy efficiency programs to meet a minimum of 12.5% of the needs of the State's retail electricity customers by 2021; and
Whereas, in 2007, the General Assembly established the North Carolina Green Business Fund to promote small businesses that develop and expand the biofuels industry, the green building industry, clean technology, and renewable energy products and businesses; and
Whereas, in 2009, the General Assembly established the Legislative Research Commission Advisory Subcommittee on Offshore Energy Exploration to study issues related to oil and natural gas exploration and development off the North Carolina coast, as well as the potential impacts of alternative offshore energy projects on the nation's energy supply, including energy generated from wind, waves, ocean currents, the sun, and hydrogen production; and
Whereas, North Carolina has enacted, expanded, and renewed numerous tax credits and incentive programs in order to promote the development and utilization of renewable energy technologies and facilities in the State; and
Whereas, a national statutory framework for clean energy will provide a predictable regulatory framework that will provide better clarity for decision making and spur innovation in the clean energy sector; and
Whereas, without Congressional action, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has announced its intention to regulate greenhouse gas emissions through administrative rules rather than through legislation; and
Whereas, the United States House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) on June 26, 2009, on a bipartisan vote, and bipartisan members of the United States Senate are currently considering and drafting the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733); and
Whereas, the United States Congress has the opportunity to enact comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate legislation that will strengthen our national security, grow clean energy jobs, reduce pollution, and advance America; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly urges the United States Congress to pass and the President to sign comprehensive clean energy jobs and climate legislation that: (i) creates a unified framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) protects low- and moderate- income Americans from increased energy costs and invests substantially in energy efficiency; (iii) supports alternative sources of energy, including, but not limited to, wind, solar, wave, hydroelectricity, biofuels, advanced nuclear energy research, and clean coal technologies; (iv) acknowledges the carbon‑intensive nature of the economy of the United States and includes emissions offsets that protect energy consumers; and (v) does not preempt State legislative efforts to control carbon emissions and to advance clean energy innovations.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of State of North Carolina shall prepare and transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and North Carolina's senators and representatives in Congress.
SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
