Bush plans to stop greenhouse gas emissions growth

President Bush on Wednesday will announce a plan that he says will halt the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 through the use of new technologies that hold the key to combating global warming.

According to excerpts of a speech Bush plans to deliver later Wednesday, the president will advocate achieving the goal through an “economy-wide” approach.

{mosads}“The strategy I have laid out today shows faith in the ingenuity and enterprise of the American people — and that is one resource that will never run out,” he is expected to say. “I am confident that with sensible and balanced policies from Washington, American innovators and entrepreneurs will pioneer a new generation of technology that improves our environment, strengthens our economy and continues to amaze the world.”

As part of the new strategy, Bush hopes that the growth of power-sector greenhouse gas emissions will reach a high point in 10 to 15 years and decline after that.

“There are a number of ways to achieve these reductions, but all responsible approaches depend on accelerating the development and deployment of new technologies,” Bush is expected to say.

The president argued that his administration has “a rational, balanced approach” to the problems posed by global warming.

“I have put our nation on a path to slow, stop and eventually reverse the growth of our greenhouse gas emissions,” he is expected to say.

Bush also plans to warn that courts and bureaucrats could seriously stifle economic growth by applying outdated regulations.

“Decisions with such far-reaching impact should not be left to unelected regulators and judges,” Bush will say. “Such decisions should be debated openly and made by the elected representatives of the people they affect.”

With regard to congressional action on global warming, Bush is expected to say that there is “a wrong way and a right way” to legislate on the issue.

“Bad legislation would impose tremendous costs on our economy and American families without accomplishing the important climate change goals we share,” the president plans to say. “The wrong way is to raise taxes, duplicate mandates or demand sudden and drastic emissions cuts that have no chance of being realized and every chance of hurting our economy. The right way is to set realistic goals for reducing emissions consistent with advances in technology, while increasing our energy security and ensuring our economy can continue to prosper and grow.”

In anticipation of the announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said: “After seven years of denying the seriousness of the climate crisis and delaying tough action to save the planet, President Bush finally will discuss the subject this afternoon.”

She added that the president “should encourage the efforts of governors and mayors across the country who stepped into the void of leadership when the Bush Administration failed to act. His administration has been obstructing efforts by states, such as California, to take tough action against global warming.”

Pelosi also called on Bush to support the Democratic-led Congress in its effort to “pass historic cap-and-trade climate legislation, which will begin to limit emissions and serve as a basis for global cooperation.”