H.R. 5575: Moratorium on Uncontrolled Power Plants Act of 2008

The bill - H.R. 5575, otherwise know as the “Moratorium on Uncontrolled Power Plants Act of 2008.” addresses the largest new source of global warming pollution — new coal-fired power plants that are being built without any controls on their global warming emissions.  The complete language of the bill and a summary can be found at: http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1797

* This bill requires that all new coal plants to capture and store safely at least 85% of their carbon dioxide emissions. None of the approximately 100 proposed coal plants in the United States currently meet this requirement.  The bill would also ensure that any new coal plants that do not capture and store their carbon will not be given free pollution allowances under any future global warming legislation.

* This bill takes a common sense approach to our energy future. Everyone realizes that federal global warming legislation is coming; this bill recognizes that and forces coal plant developers to assume responsibility for their global warming pollution.

* "Before we move forward with new coal plants we need to make sure that they will be viable, affordable energy options in the new energy future we are creating. We need to make sure that the technology to capture and store carbon is feasible and in place. Otherwise we could end up locked in to another 50 years of dirty power that negates all of our other efforts to improve public health and fight global warming.

* The coal industry has announced it is spending more than $35 million to try to convince the American people that coal can be burned cleanly. This bill holds them to their rhetoric and will demonstrate whether there is any truth behind the industry’s slick public relations campaign.

* Because of the rising cost of coal and new coal plants, it is imperative that while we are evaluating the role, if any, coal should play in our energy future, we should continue to move forward with the clean, affordable energy solutions that are available today, like energy efficiency, wind and solar power. Investing in these clean energy technologies today can keep our lights on, save us money and create jobs, all while fighting global warming.