American Power Act Introduced Today!

After much anticipation, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) released The American Power Act, a comprehensive climate and energy bill. Ultimately, the bill is a product of compromises aimed at bipartisan appeal, so it's political prospects are uncertain. However, while Oxfam and its allies are dissecting the 987 pages and scoping out its political viability, our common immediate perspective is that it is a welcome step, and we urgently need political leadership to strengthen its provisions.

So far, what we know about the bill is that it:

- aims for 17% GHG reductions by 2020

- proposes a cap & trade system with significant consumer protection

- includes money and incentives for nuclear energy

- includes concessions on off-shore drilling (fewer though, in the wake of Gulf spill).

- includes a program to build resilience through international adaptation, but funding is inadequate and doesn’t commence until 2019.

Read more about the bill here.

Take Immediate Action: Join a national conference call tomorrow (5/13) on the American Power Act, hosted by 1Sky

Time: Thursday, May 13, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (Eastern Time)
Dial-in number: 877-366-0713 (toll-free)
Participant code: 38735133#
Questions: Submit your questions in advance here. (And ask about adaptation!)

Guest speakers on the call include Jesse Tolkan (Green for All), Dave Hamilton (Sierra Club), Vicky Rateau (Oxfam America), Jason Kowalski (1Sky).