Iowa Global Warming

Rep. Bruce Braley took these notes during a White House briefing last Tuesday as President Barack Obama explained his criteria for a carbon dioxide cap and trade system.

In a Times Editorial Board meeting Friday, Braley described how he scribbled four key points on White House stationery…

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In Obama’s highly anticipated speech to congress last night, the President reiterated his desire to drive economic recovery by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency policies. Furthermore, quelling worries over what his specific approach to greenhouse gas emissions would be, he asked congress to deliver a long-awaited “market based carbon cap.”

Though the speech focused more broadly on three differing areas of Obama’s campaign platform, the environment regularly took precedence over health care and education, giving yet another sign that this administration’s approach will focus much more specifically on issues of clean energy and energy efficiency.

The affirmation of Obama’s continued commitment to the environment was perhaps most notably apparent in his request for a national carbon cap. Many have been wondering in recent weeks what form the administration’s greenhouse gas emission policy would take; the two most obvious choices being either a carbon-cap system or a carbon tax. Last night, however, speculation was cast aside as Obama clearly requested a cap-and-trade system.

“I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America,” he said. “That’s what we need.”

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