SUNUNU VOTES TO BRING CLIMATE SECURITY ACT TO SENATE FLOOR FOR DEBATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

6/2/08                                                                                          202-224-2841

                                                                                                        LIZ CHAMBERLAIN

                                                                                                        603-430-9560

SUNUNU VOTES TO BRING CLIMATE SECURITY ACT

 TO SENATE FLOOR FOR DEBATE

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) today (6/2) voted to bring the “Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act” (S. 3036) to the floor of the United States Senate for debate.  The Senate began consideration of S. 3036 following the 74-14 vote early Monday evening. 

“This is an important debate and one that deserves the consideration of the full Senate. I have co-sponsored legislation which addresses not just carbon, but mercury, sulfur, and smog-causing nitrogen oxide as well,” said Sununu.  “I hope that any final legislation will set emission standards for all of these. Moreover, we must make every effort to minimize costs for New Hampshire consumers and the economy.”

            BACKGROUND: Sununu is the lead Republican cosponsor to the Carper-Sununu “Clean Air Planning Act of 2007” (S. 1177), which was introduced on April 20, 2007.  The bill would address air quality and climate change by establishing a clear schedule to significantly reduce harmful emissions from power plants – in particular, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury – as well as decrease carbon dioxide emissions through a cap-and-trade system. Under the bill, mercury emissions would by reduced by 90 percent by 2015 in order to reduce the risks from this neurotoxin, especially to children and pregnant women.