On the eve of his State of the Union address – and just two days before his visit to DuPont facilities – President Bush received a letter from ten major American corporations explaining the dire need for emissions reductions in our state and our country.
Last week, Senator Tom Carper, D-Del., introduced a bill that would cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 10 percent by 2020. That was the same week that House Democrats passed a comprehensive energy and environment bill (H.B. 6).
Yet it is expected that Bush will not include emissions caps as part of his proposal in tonight’s speech, and will not mention them on his visit to Wilmington tomorrow.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that everyone except the Bush administration sees global warming as a serious problem that requires immediate action,” said Molly Jurusik, Executive Director of the Delaware Democratic Party. “We hope that he will listen to DuPont officials on his trip tomorrow, returning to Washington with a renewed realization that we need meaningful action immediately.”
The Bush administration, despite repeated rhetoric, has failed to take any real action on global warming. President Bush’s 2007 budget actually proposed to spend less on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy sources than what was spent in 2001 (adjusted for inflation).
This inaction is what caused the letter from DuPont and other corporations, telling the President that “debate cannot be a substitute for action.”
DuPont has done an admirable job of reducing admissions on its own – 72 percent since 1971 – but still realizes the comprehensive policy needed nationwide.
“The president has a chance to reverse course with his speech tonight and his visit tomorrow,” Jurusik said. “Delaware will have a front-row seat tomorrow to see if he chooses to join the Democrats in bringing a new direction to our environmental policy.”
