UMWA President Roberts’ statement on the introduction of the Bingaman-Specter climate change bill

WASHINGTON, DC - United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:

“Today’s introduction by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) of the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007addressing climate change brings refreshing clarity to a complex but necessary debate.

“Rather than ignoring our nation’s energy security needs, which will require domestic coal to fuel our electrical grid for decades to come, this bill will spur development of carbon capture and sequestration technologies, thereby protecting the environment and the economy at the same time.

“The legislation will further protect the economy and workers if carbon emission controls exceed expected costs. It also ensures that our nation doesn’t go it alone by linking U.S. climate change action with those of developing countries, where future greenhouse gas emissions growth will occur.

“As the union most directly affected by climate change policy, the UMWA is confident that through American know-how and promising new technologies, we will demonstrate that the economy and the environment can complement each other. I salute the strong bipartisan leadership of Senators Bingaman and Specter in crafting this important bill.”

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