WASHINGTON (August 2, 2007) - Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Ct.) and John Warner (R-Va.) today announced potential key provisions of a new global warming proposal. The senators intend to craft a bill based on this outline for consideration by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee soon after Congress returns from its August recess. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) praised the senators for their efforts and identified areas where the proposal needs to be strengthened.

Below is a statement by Alden Meyer, strategy and policy director for UCS:

"We welcome new ideas when it comes to fighting global warming, and are pleased that Senators Lieberman and Warner are providing leadership on this issue. But their proposal must be strengthened to be effective.

"The heart of the Lieberman-Warner proposal is a cap-and-trade system, which would guarantee pollution cuts. But they only call for a 70 percent reduction in global warming pollution by mid-century, and a 10 percent cut by 2020. Unfortunately, that's not enough. Scientists say reductions of at least 80 percent by mid-century are needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming.

"Their proposal also includes too many giveaways of emissions allowances to polluters, and would let companies rely too heavily on offsets instead of making significant pollution cuts themselves.

"That said, we understand the proposal is a work in progress, and we look forward to working with Senators Lieberman, Warner, and other members of the Environment Committee to make this a stronger, more effective bill."