Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
STATEMENT BY EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Release Date: 03/16/2001
Contact Information:
STATEMENT BY EPA ADMINISTRATOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN
ON CLIMATE CHANGE
March 16, 2001
President Bush and I both take the issue of climate change very seriously and support a comprehensive and balanced energy policy that takes into account the importance of improved air quality. As EPA Administrator, I look forward to working with Congress on a multi-pollutant strategy to require power plants to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. This would be a big step forward from anything accomplished by the last administration.
Such a bill will be important to improving the quality of air in America. Let’s not lose sight of that fact as the press concentrates on one issue, the decision on carbon dioxide.
The President has been clear that the Administration does not believe the government should impose mandatory carbon dioxide emissions reductions on power plants at a time when the cost of energy is soaring in this nation. California has experienced energy shortages and other Western states must also be worried about price and availability of power as we approach the high demand months of summer. I agree with the President that we must be very careful not to take actions that could harm consumers.
The President has said we will fully examine global climate change issues–including the science, technologies, market-based systems, and innovative options for addressing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. I share the President’s optimism that we will be able to develop technologies, market incentives, and other creative ways to address global climate change and I fully intend to support him in that effort.
R-39 ###
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
