World Wildlife Fund Statement on the American Clean Energy and Security Act

World Wildlife Fund issued the following statement from President and CEO Carter S. Roberts on the revised American Clean Energy and Security Act resulting from negotiations led by House Energy Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA):

“WWF commends Chairmen Waxman and Markey for leading the effort to draft comprehensive legislation to respond to the challenge of climate change and to secure a clean energy future for all Americans. Faced with the need to reconcile diverse and competing interests, the result is a draft bill that will help generate millions of clean energy jobs, while committing the United States to take its first serious steps towards combating climate change.

“We understand legislation as ambitious as this requires compromise. But we remain seriously concerned that the current draft does not go far enough in securing America’s clean energy future and falls short of what is needed to achieve a global agreement to manage climate change.

“The U.S. cannot solve this problem alone. But if we are to lead other nations in a global response, we must help developing countries reduce emissions from global deforestation, transition to clean energy technologies and adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

“This bill makes good progress towards the goal of reducing deforestation but falls far short on international clean technology cooperation and adaptation assistance. Unless strengthened, this bill could undermine America’s ability to secure an effective international agreement during climate negotiations in Copenhagen this fall.

“We look forward to working with the Chairmen in building on this good start to deliver legislation that will meet President Obama’s goal of ensuring a clean and secure energy future for America.”

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.
Contacts

WWF
Leslie Aun, 703-517-4550
leslie.aun {at} wwfus(.)org