Obama's Agreement in Copenhagen Signifies New Era of American Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chairman Ed Markey, 202-494-4486

Markey Statement on Copenhagen Climate Deal

COPENHAGEN (December 18, 2009) -- Following President Barack Obama's announcement that a deal had been reached at the climate talks in Copenhagen, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-author of the Waxman-Markey climate and clean energy bill, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy and Environment Subcommittee, released the following statement:

"This morning, Speaker Pelosi and I met with the President shortly before his speech before the Copenhagen conference. It was clear that he faced a difficult situation and was determined to hold steady for an agreement that would turn the tide against global warming. I sat in the hall when the president spoke and I could see the impact that his speech made on the assembled delegates. He was strong, resolute and determined.

"Today's ground-breaking agreement by critical nations is not the end of this process, it is the beginning. It signifies a new era of action where America is willing to be a leader in the fight to combat global warming. This provides an opportunity for the rest of the world to build a comprehensive agreement that so many have been working to achieve for so long.

“The president was successful in reaching an agreement that commits major developed and developing economies to substantially reduce their emissions. By ensuring transparency in reviewing countries’ emissions cuts, America and other countries can now be confident that promises made will be promises kept.

“Further actions will be needed, both internationally and domestically, before we have put in place the full range of policies needed to respond to the challenge confronting the planet, but this agreement is a crucial step forward.”

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