PRESS RELEASE

Pew Environment Group Calls on President Obama to Act Now on Global Warming

21 January 2009

Contact: Brandon MacGillis – 202.887.8830

WASHINGTON- Citing the need for early action to decrease our dependence on oil, and reduce global warming pollution, the Pew Environment Group today called on President Obama to take four specific executive actions to get started on forging a safer, cleaner energy future.

"Our increasing dependence on oil is dangerous both for national security and environmental reasons. Comprehensive legislative action and international agreements are needed but we can't wait until they are in place to get started on solving these problems," said Phyllis Cuttino who directs the Pew Environment Group's U.S. Global Warming Campaign. "President Obama must use his executive authority to get America moving toward a safer, cleaner energy future."

"With the stroke of a pen, President Obama can take four early important steps to reduce the threat of global warming, cut our dangerous dependence on oil, create new jobs and save Americans money."

The four items Pew outlined for the new president are:

• Instruct the EPA to formally declare that carbon dioxide and other global warming emissions are a danger to human health and wellbeing. This is the first step in regulating global warming emissions as pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
• Direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the global warming vehicle standard adopted by 14 states and the District of Columbia to go forward. This would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and light trucks 30 percent by 2016.
• Accelerate the schedule for increasing fuel efficiency. The 2007 energy bill increased fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 but a Department of Transportation analysis shows automakers can meet this goal five years earlier, saving consumers even more money at the pump.
• Order higher efficiency standards for federal government buildings and vehicle fleets. This could help jumpstart construction, retrofitting and manufacturing throughout America.

"If he takes these important actions now, President Obama will make a critical down payment on achieving energy independence, making America more secure and reducing global warming," said Cuttino. "He will also set the stage for Congressional action and establishing American leadership on these issues."

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