Senate Proceeding on Jun 3rd, 2008 :: 0:31:33 to 0:47:24
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0:13:56 to 0:31:33( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Cornyn

0:31:19 to 0:31:33( Edit History Discussion )

John Cornyn: like to say, first of all, that i share some of the great concerns of my colleague from texas. today i rise to address the legislative proposal introduced by senators lieberman and warner to address

0:31:33 to 0:31:49( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: global climate change. mr. voinovich: like many of my colleagues, i share the urgency to take proactive steps to address this challenge that we have. that said, i have serious reservations about this

0:31:33 to 0:47:24( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: George Voinovich

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George Voinovich: proposal. i feel it is overly aggressive, outpacing what technology can provide and thus assuring economic pain on the country and it is overly bureaucratic and cumberme in its implementation. represting

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George Voinovich: an unprecedented expansion of government power and a massive bureaucratic intrusion in american lives that will have a profound effect on businesses, communities and families. the e.p.a. stated in an answer

0:32:18 to 0:32:32( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: to a letter that i sent them, this program will take between 300 to 400 people to implement. whereas the acid rain provision takes just under 30. a major failure of this legislation is that it fails

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George Voinovich: to harmonize our country's economic energy and environmental objectives. the consequences to american interests could be devastating. the international aspect of this problem is particularly troublesome.

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George Voinovich: the developing world is currently undertaking an intensive expansion of energy infrastructure and escalating industrial and commercial expansion to meet the growing demands ofomestic and international

0:33:04 to 0:33:21( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: markets. the developing nations combined emissions shortly will exceed the developed nations combined emissions. in 2007 the international agency released a report saying that the global -- that the developing

0:33:21 to 0:33:39( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: countries contribute 74% of the increase in global primary energy use, china and india alone account for 45% of that increase. china puts on line two coal-fired plants every week. two coal-fired plants

0:33:39 to 0:33:51( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: every week. in june the netherlands environmental assessment agency announced that china's 2006 co2 emissions surpassed those of the u.s. by 8%. with this china tops the list of co2 emitting countries

0:33:51 to 0:34:05( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: for the first time. by the way, years ahead of the projection that's were made acouple of years ago. much like china, those countries with large domestic reserves of coal, than includes the united states,

0:34:05 to 0:34:21( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: will continue to use it. and it is unrealistic to assume that the world would turn its back on this abundant resource. we must take this reality into account and this n be done by jump-starting the

0:34:21 to 0:34:35( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: technology that is needed to produce the energy we need in an environmentally sownt manner. -- sound manner. recognizing the international dynamic of this problem, the lieberman-warner proposal attempts a tariff

0:34:35 to 0:34:49( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: light requirement for goodsoo entering the u.s. from countries that do not control their emissions. the u.s. trade representative questioned the plan's efficacy. in china china, mexico, and brazil, have said

0:34:49 to 0:35:04( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: that it could begin a trade war. top officials from the european union and united nations have raised doubts about wheer the u.s. trade penalties would harm the prospects of a new global warming

0:35:04 to 0:35:18( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: agreement. even if the new provision is w.t.o. required, it would not address the feed stock and electricity prices that the bill would impose on u.s. manufacturers. a better approach is needed.

0:35:18 to 0:35:31( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: americans are already struggling with the increase in their cost of living, doing -- due to higher prices for gasoline, home heating fuel, electricity, food, and health care. this bill would only make

0:35:31 to 0:35:45( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: things worse. i wish that some of the sponsors would go back into their respective constituency to hear the complaints from most people, middle class people, poor, retirees, whose standard of living is

0:35:45 to 0:35:58( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: being reduced here in the country today because of these costs. we cannot tolerate policies that harm our economy and drive businesses overseas. if those businesses located in countries that do not share

0:35:58 to 0:36:10( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: our environmental objectives, then we are worse off on two counts, fewer jobs in the united states and no ben nefits at all to the environment. over my strenuous objections this bill was voted out

0:36:10 to 0:36:28( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: of the environment and public works committee without an analysis of the economic impacts on the country from either the e.p.a. or energy information office. today we have a dozen analysis of a bill

0:36:28 to 0:36:46( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: from a wide variety quit of groups and they're all about the same. the e.p.a. analysis predicts by 2030 annual losses in gross domestic products could b as high as $923 billion. in 2050 those losses would

0:36:46 to 0:37:01( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: grow to $2.8 trillion. c.b.o. projects federal budget for this year will be dz 2-dz .9 trillion -- $2.9 trillion. that means that the losses in 2050 would equal that spent on everything that we intend

0:37:01 to 0:37:17( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: to spend this year from social security to national defense. think about it. in order to meet the caps of the bill, the analysis assumes aggressive growth in nuclear and other technology at rates that

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George Voinovich: is widely regarded as unachievable and unbelievable. for example, they predict 150% increase in nuclear power by 2050. today there are 104 operating plants meaning that we have to build up to another

0:37:34 to 0:37:48( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: 150 new plants by 20 506789 -- 2050. the energy information oice, when they did the analysis said that we would have to build 220 of them by 2030 in order for these caps to be realistic. these assumptions

0:37:48 to 0:38:00( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: are unrealistic and mask the true cost of implementing the bill. in regard to nuclear power, i published a paper in the "nuclear news" on the stheaps we need to take to launch the nuclear renaissance

0:38:00 to 0:38:16( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: and i will make certain that each member receives a copy of this paper. bringing vast amounts of new nuclear power online, folks, will not be a layup shot. for example there is only one country

0:38:16 to 0:38:32( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: in the world that makes the vessels and forges and one plant for plants and recently when we anticipated that new plants would cost about $5 billion, the new cost is $7 billion. today we have pending

0:38:32 to 0:38:47( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: at the nuclear regulatory commission, nine applications for 15 new plants. if constructed would not come on-line until 2015, 2016, and 2017. we'll be lucky to have 20 new nuclear plants by 2030.

0:38:47 to 0:39:02( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: in regards it what we call capture carbon, the technology that's needed, no commercial experience or testing scale has been done. d.o.e. said that it will take 10 years before the seven large-scale

0:39:02 to 0:39:16( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: demonstration tests are complete. d.o.e. said that a more robust geological azestment will not be complete until 2015. liability and critical infrastructure issues remain unanswered and d.o.e.

0:39:16 to 0:39:30( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: says commercial, c.c.s., may not be available for 20 years. this connection between the costs of the program and the availablity clean energy technology is clear, as e.i.a. points out, the timing

0:39:30 to 0:39:47( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: of the development of commercialization and deployment of low emission electricity generating technology such as nuclear power, coal with c.c.s. and dispatchable renewable powerow is a juror detriment of

0:39:47 to 0:40:02( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: the energy and economic impacts of 2191. the timing of the development commercialization and deployment of low emissions electricity generating technology such as nuclear power, coal with carbon capture and dispatchable,

0:40:02 to 0:40:19( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: renewable power is a major detriment of the energy and economic impacts of 2191. the cleveland plain dealer, which is the largest newspaper in the state of ohio, this sunday editorialized on this

0:40:19 to 0:40:37( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: bill and the title was "this carbon bill isn't the answer." it goes on to say that the bill as conceived will bore new holes into an al battered economy. coal-dependent states with partially deregulated

0:40:37 to 0:40:50( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: energy prices, ohio, for example, would take a double hit in economic dislations and electricity price spikes with barely any financial cushions to make it more pallable. it lacks the consumer fairness

0:40:50 to 0:41:02( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: and flexibility necessary to avoid fuel price shocks and damage to manufacturing nationwide. i ask that this be -- this editorial be included in the record. the presiding officer: without objection,

0:41:02 to 0:41:14( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: so ordered. mr. voinovich: and, mr. president, i would also like to ask that this paper that i written on the nuclear renaissance be included in the record. the presiding officer: without objection,

0:41:14 to 0:41:28( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: so ordered. mr. voinovich: while coal and manufacturing states pay their neighbors and government to stay in business, the bill establishes trillions of dollars new entitlements. earmarks with money flowing

0:41:28 to 0:41:43( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: to over 30 new government spending programs, constituting as "the wall street journal" recently pointed out, one much the largest tax and spending bills in the nation's history. based on e.p.a.'s

0:41:43 to 0:41:59( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: analysis this bill would raise over $6 trillion from the alowns auctioned of utilities an factories who have to purchase allowances to stay in business. the cost of purchasing these allowances would

0:41:59 to 0:42:19( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: be passed on to consumers as higher prices which will, a as the c.b.o. points out will amount to a's guessive tax hitting low and middle income families. in my state they predict by 2012 -- or 2030

0:42:19 to 0:42:34( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: -- 2020, i think. 2020 that the cost of electricity will go up 50%. the cost of natural gas, 80%, and the cost of gasoline would go up 30%. now some of my constituents say how could the cost of gasoline

0:42:34 to 0:42:51( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: go up? and i point out to them that we have refineries that we fine oil. and with this bill they going to have to buy allowances. and those allowances will increase the cost of your gasoline 30%. did

0:42:51 to 0:43:10( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: you hear that? 30% increase in gasoline costs as a result of this legislation. give me a break. and despite the severe economic damage lieberman-warner would impose on the u.s. economy, the policy would

0:43:10 to 0:43:22( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: do little to address global climate change. e.p.a., this is not a conservative group out there, analysis say that's it will reduce global concentrations of co2 by 90% by 2025. it will require a technology

0:43:22 to 0:43:35( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: revolution centered on the way that we produce and use energy. the theory behind lieberman-warner is more painful it is on business, the faster co2 reductions will occur. i believe the solution to

0:43:35 to 0:43:52( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: this problem lies in our ability to produce access to clean energy. instead of using the powerf the government to increase energy costs, we should use it for investments in clean energy solutions. the

0:43:52 to 0:44:04( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: u.s. took a lot of flak from countries for not signing kyoto; but i'm glad that there are new initiatives. while we didn't sign kto, we have a base of international activities to build on. one much

0:44:04 to 0:44:15( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: them could be the basis for providing a multinational effort giving all countries a vested interest in technology advancement and deployment. the thing that we have to remember above all the developing world

0:44:15 to 0:44:30( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: desires sustained economic growth. slowing down economic development to address climate change is not an option they're willing to pursue and we cannot force it upon them. if we're going to be successful

0:44:30 to 0:44:41( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: in addressing the challenge of climate change we have to set a realistic vision for the developing world using what joseph nide referred to as smart power when they testified before the senate foreign

0:44:41 to 0:44:57( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: relations committee on april 24 2-rbgs 008, they argued that the world looks to the u.s. for better ideas rather than just walk away from the table. this is the perception after kyo and it could be

0:44:57 to 0:45:10( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: the perception today if we do not find a way to engage the developing world.~ they go on to say, "the united states needs to rediscover how to be a smart power and look broadly at u.s. goals, strategies

0:45:10 to 0:45:23( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: and influence in a changing world." and they rightly conclude, "our challenges can only be addressed with capable and willing allies and partners. without willing partners in china and india, we cannot

0:45:23 to 0:45:34( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: be successful in addressing climate change. technology development and promotion should drive our national climate policy. it is the only rational path forward. it is the only way to deal with emissions

0:45:34 to 0:45:47( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: from rapidly expanding coal-based economies like china and india who readily admit that they have no intention of accepting binding emission targets. the public interest and private-sector communities

0:45:47 to 0:46:00( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: agree that the crucial factor that will determine whether we have an effective climate policy is the extent that that policy would encourage the development and deployment of needed technology. regulation

0:46:00 to 0:46:12( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: without sufficiently available technology will result in high costs for american consumers while offering little hope to developing -- that developing nations will answer the call to reduce their

0:46:12 to 0:46:26( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: emissions." in conclusion, i agree that we need to act quickly to address climate change, but we must be smart about how to proceed. and i'm hoping that after this year's debate, we can come together

0:46:26 to 0:46:36( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: -- come together -- on a bipartisan basis to draft a bill that doesn't impose unilateral actions that hurt our economy and drive jobs overseas, but rather jump starts technology, engages our international partners

0:46:36 to 0:46:49( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: through collaborative multinational effort to develop and deploy the clean-energy technologiess that everyone recognizes are necessary to solve this global environmental problem. i appreciate the chair

0:46:49 to 0:47:03( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: giving me an extra minute. thank you. the presiding officer: the senator's time has expired. the senator from florida. mr. nelson: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that sarah sanders of our

0:47:03 to 0:47:24( Edit History Discussion )

George Voinovich: staff be given the floorth privileges. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. nelson:so mr. president, i mentioned sarah sanders, and i wanted her to come over here and be on the

0:47:24 to 0:47:59( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Nelson: floor while i'm speaking, because this photograph is of her hometown, madison, florida, in madison county. it's in north florida. and if you examine this photograph of downtown madison, here's the old

0:47:24 to 0:51:22( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bill Nelson