Global Warming and Energy

There is no longer any question that human activity is causing global warming. The latest report by the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that the release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from human activity has played a central role in raising the average surface temperature of the earth by more than 1 degree Fahrenheit since 1900 and that without quick and effective action to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of these gases, the ecological systems we rely upon to sustain life will be in jeopardy.

Global warming is the most serious environmental threat of our time. Already, we are experiencing global warming impacts worldwide, including more severe storms, prolonged forest fire seasons, floods and droughts, agricultural losses and increased human disease. The United States is the top global warming polluter in the world, with a 20 percent increase since 1990 of carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and another 15 percent increase forecast by 2020 without a change in regulation.

Here in Illinois, climate change directly affects our people and wildlife. If unchecked, global warming would have an impact on our water supplies and farming, wildlife habitat and human health. The Union of Concerned Scientists has projected in Illinois an increase in droughts, a loss of wetlands, a potential increase in ground-level ozone, heavier flooding and increased risk of waterborne infectious diseases.

In the absence of federal leadership, Illinois can play a part in fighting global climate change, just as dozens of other states are already doing. For example, 13 states have adopted clean-car standards that would reduce automobile global warming pollution by 30 percent. In addition, nine Northeast states have a power-sector cap, and six Western states are designing their emissions regime. Opportunities exist for Illinois to join a similar program here in the Midwest.

Taking action to design and adopt our own global warming policies now is in the best interests of our citizens and our industry. First, global warming action not only helps protect our climate, but it also improves our economy, creating jobs and leaving consumers with more disposable income. Second, global warming policies also improve public health by eliminating harmful air pollutants. Finally, states that act early will have more ability to shape the national global warming approach.

With this in mind, the Illinois Climate Action Network is currently working with state legislators to garner support for an omnibus global warming bill with these components:

Cap and Trade with 100% Auction - SB 2220 and HB 5254 will determine a cap based on 1990 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by June 1, 2009, along with a list of strategies to achieve the goals of the cap. The limits will take effect Jan. 1, 2013, and the total cap limit will be lowered in subsequent years to meet the 1990 emission limits by 2020. As part of the cap, credits for the GHG pollution will be auctioned to polluters with the revenue being put into a fund to support the low-income community, job retraining and skills development and low carbon technology development. This approach guarantees that overall GHG emissions will drop to 1990 levels by 2020 while allowing facilities that can't cut back as cheaply as others to buy allowances from firms that can cost-effectively reduce their emissions beyond what is required.

Clean Cars (www.ilcleancars.org) - This two-phase component of the omnibus bill enacts auto manufacturing standards already in place in 13 other states, including California. The first phase is Low Emission Vehicle Standards (LEV II), which helps reduce the pollution associated with respiratory illnesses like asthma. Phase two requires a 27 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from cars by 2030.

Low Carbon Fuel Standard - This standard would benefit both the environment and Illinois' agricultural economy by requiring 1.25 percent of the total vehicle fuel sold as of 2011 to meet the definition of a low carbon fuel i.e. one such as ethanol that produces less greenhouse gas than oil-based fuel. The phased-in reduction in the amount of carbon permitted in Illinois motor fuels would reach 10% by 2020.

Energy Efficient Furnaces - About 50 percent of the energy used in our homes is for heating, and this provision of the global warming bill requires that within one year of the Act taking effect, all new residential furnaces be 90 percent efficient. It is estimated that such a move would save Illinois consumers between $150 and $200 a year.

Energy Efficient Building Code - This Act requires an Energy Efficient Building Code to be adopted for any renovations or new constructions in the state (excluding buildings designated as historic by the federal or local government). It recommends that the International Energy Conservation Code be adopted to ensure that the economy, population density and climate of the state are considered as part of any building requirements.