Sunday, January 04, 2009

The Green Party's holiday gift to the Obama Administration: a plan for environmental action

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008

"First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) from the Green Party's Eco Action Committee


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today said that Obama has the chance, when he becomes President, to take the lead on curbing global warming.

In May, 2008, the Green Party's Eco-Action Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php) announced a set of recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days as a guide for Green presidential candidates.

Greens are now promoting the "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy" (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) as a plan for the Obama Administration.

"This is the Green Party's holiday gift to the new administration -- a set of policies and actions that would place the US in the lead among nations fighting the advance of catastrophic climate change," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the EcoAction Committee. "After the inconclusive results of the Poznan talks, President Obama has the opportunity to put the US at the forefront by the time nations meet again in Copenhagen next year."

"Evidence presented by climate experts in Poznan that alternative energy may not be sufficient to solve the crisis. The emphasis must shift more towards conservation, lowered consumption, and drastic reduction in car traffic. The steps taken against global warming and to repair the current economic meltdown must include all three," siad Mr. Rolley.

On December 10, the Green Party published six recommendations for economic recovery that included environmentally based public works, expanded public transportation, and other conservation-based measures (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=152).

First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy: summary of major recommendations

* No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90% the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human health and the environment in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes

* Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal wastes in stream beds and valleys

* Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020

* Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory 25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local energy generation

* Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012

* Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human health

* Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

* Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel or deforestation

* Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis

* Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

Green Party press releases:
"Greens introduce a plan for environmental action for a Green President's first 100 days in off"
May 7, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58

"America needs the Green Party's solutions to energy and global warming crises, not the Obama or McCain plans, say Greens"
August 11, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=86

"Climate change experts 'lose faith' in renewable technology: Specialists less optimistic that wind, solar and hydro power have 'high potential' to solve climate crisis, survey shows"
By David Adam in Poznan, The Guardian, December 9, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-climate-change-renewable-energy

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