PCAP - Presidential Climate Action Project

the conduct of scientific research.” In addition to the numerous reports on climate change thathave been prepared, both nationally and internationally, reflecting the serious implications ofclimate change, on May 29, 2008, the U.S. Climate Change Science Program issued a report onthe Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States. 72 The reportdocuments the numerous adverse impacts global warming is already having on the United Statesand the likely future impacts on the nation, including impacts to human health, water supply,agriculture, transportation, and biodiversity. The report also explicitly acknowledges that carbondioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of the warming.In terms of national policy established by Congress, the following fully supports the action inthis proposal:The Congress finds and declares . . . [w]eather and climate change affectfood production, energy use, land use, water resources and other factorsvital to national security and human welfare. 73* * * * *The Congress finds . . . [w]hile the consequences of the greenhouse effectmay not be fully manifest until the next century, ongoing pollution anddeforestation may be contributing now to an irreversible process.Necessary actions must be identified and implemented in time to protectthe climate. 74 * * * * *The Congress recognizes that each person should enjoy a healthfulenvironment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to thepreservation and enhancement of the environment. 75Also relevant to this proposal is the President’s role in planning national energy policy. Pursuantto 42 U.S.C. § 7321, the President biennially prepares and submits to Congress a proposedNational Energy Policy Plan (NEPP) and report. 76 The proposed Plan shall “consider andestablish energy production, utilization, and conservation objectives, for periods of five and tenyears, necessary to satisfy projected energy needs of the United States to meet the requirementsof the general welfare of the people of the United States and the commercial and industrial life of72 Scientific Assessments of the Effects of Global Change on the United States, A Report of the Committee onEnvironmental and Natural Resources, National Science & Technology Council (May 2008), available athttp://www.climatescience.gov/Library/scientific-assessment/. The assessment and research plan were issued as aresult of the court ruling case Center for Biological Diversity v. Brennan, (Case No. 06-CV-7062 (SBA) (N.D. Cal.).73 42 U.S.C. § 2901(1) (National Climate Program Act).74 Id. at § 2901 Note §1102(4) (GCPA).75 Id. at § 4331(c) (congressional declaration of national environmental policy).76 Once submitted to Congress the Plan is referred to the appropriate committees and reviewed. If deemedappropriate and necessary, the committees report to the Senate or the House of Representatives. Legislationregarding such Plan which may contain alternatives to, modifications of, or additions. 42 U.S.C. § 7322.CEES 18 | P age