requires immediate action
and sustained effort over
several decades."
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USCAP endorse any particular allowance allocation methodology?
The USCAP report states, "An emission allowance allocation system should seek to mitigate economic transition costs to entities and regions of the country that will be relatively more adversely affected by GHG emission limits or have already made investments in higher cost, low-GHG technologies, while simultaneously encouraging the transition from older, higher-emitting technologies to newer, lower-emitting technologies." As such, USCAP does not endorse any particular allowance allocation methodology. The members of the group have a diversity of opinions on this issue. The allowance allocation language in the USCAP's recommendations provides a framework within which Congress can resolve this important question.
What is USCAP's position on energy generated by coal?
Coal supplies over fifty percent of our current electricity generation and will play a continuing role in our energy future. The policies we support encourage the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage and other advanced coal technologies. We believe the construction of new plants should occur in a manner that will allow them to capture and store CO2 when the conditions exist to support its implementation. We do not take a position as a group on any specific project, even though as individual organizations many USCAP Members do have such positions.
What does USCAP hope to achieve?
The goal in crafting A Call for Action was to slow, stop and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the shortest period of time reasonably achievable.
How should the government act?
USCAP urges lawmakers to enact a policy framework for mandatory reductions to GHG emissions from major emitting sectors, including large stationary sources and transportation, and energy use in commercial and residential buildings. The cornerstone of this approach would be a cap and trade program and associated policies across the economy to limit atmospheric GHG concentrations to minimize large scale impacts to humans and the environment. The group recommends that Congress establish short- and mid-term emission reduction targets; a national program to accelerate technology research, development and deployment; and approaches to encourage action by other countries, including those in the developing world, as ultimately the solution must be global.
Why is climate change an urgent matter?
The targets USCAP recommends are environmentally responsible and economically viable. The nation's policy makers must act quickly on global warming because it will take some time to "bend" the emission curve. As investments in new technology begin to pay off, the pace of emission reductions will accelerate.
USCAP agrees that the world must preserve the possibility of stabilizing the climate at a level that would avert the most dangerous impacts of climate change. This is between 450-550 parts per million of CO2. To achieve this environmental goal, USCAP proposes emissions reductions, technology replacement programs, and energy efficiency efforts to cut our output of greenhouse gases throughout the economy – including in new agricultural "sinks" for these gases.
Will this effort have any effect on the global community?
A Call for Action reflects a growing public concern about global warming. The United States is the world's richest and most powerful country, and it remains the largest source of CO2 emissions. We believe that U.S. leadership is essential for establishing an equitable and effective international policy framework for robust action by all major emitting countries. Such leadership will assure U.S. competitiveness in this century and beyond. And part of that leadership will involve bringing other countries along. Our principles and recommendations call for international engagement.
Why did USCAP decide to modify the section in A Call for Action relating to new coal-based energy facilities?
Initial press inquiries revealed that there was confusion regarding the USCAP recommendation on new coal-based energy facilities. Some interpreted the original language to mean that USCAP was advocating a de facto moratorium on new coal fired power plants. This was not the group's intent. Therefore USCAP decided to change the paragraph to state the members' expectation that coal will continue to play a role in our energy future, while also emphasizing that policies are needed to speed the transition to low-and zero emission stationary sources that can cost effectively capture CO2 emissions for geologic sequestration.