Markey statement on new international climate accord strategy
Following the announcement today by President Obama and other world leaders that a new, two-stage strategy to reach an international climate agreement will not include a binding agreement reached in Copenhagen, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-author of the House-passed Waxman-Markey clean energy and climate bill and Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, issued the following statement:
"After eight years of the Bush administration being the wallflower of climate negotiations, this climate change two-step is the best diplomatic dance President Obama and other world leaders can do to reach an equitable and effective agreement.
"While it is obviously disappointing that the world is not ready to reach a binding international climate accord, that should not diminish the great strides the United States has made over the last year to achieve success.
"This year, the House passed the Waxman-Markey climate bill, and the Obama administration reached a consensus with automakers and regulators to increase fuel economy standards and cut global warming tailpipe emissions, along with $80 billion investments in clean energy delivered from the stimulus package.
"Because of the momentum here in the United States and abroad to produce more clean energy and less global warming pollution, I remain highly optimistic that we will still reach an international climate agreement."
The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.
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