News Releases for May 2008
May 28, 2008
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Hoeven, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Hold Energy And Environmental Policy Conference
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven and the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce hosted a roundtable discussion to address energy and environmental policies and the impact they will have on the state of North Dakota. A main topic of conversation was the Lieberman-Warner proposal, which is scheduled for floor debate in early June. The roundtable included Governor Hoeven, Senator Conrad, representatives from the agriculture community, public service commission, environmental community and the energy industry.
"There are many implications contained in this proposed bill, environmentally and economically," Hoeven said. "In our state where energy is an important component of the economy, we need to foster an understanding of the issues in order to develop effective state policy.
"These policy issues are important to the state," said Kelvin Hullet, President of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber. "With the positive response and high interest in this conference, we can see this will be a conversation that will continue over the course of the next year, just as it continues to be debated in Washington DC."
Senate Bill 2191, or the Lieberman-Warner bill, would enforce the reduction of carbon emissions across the United States. This bill would enforce a nationwide cap and trade program for the emission of greenhouse gases. The legislation is asking for a reduction of green house gas emissions by 74 percent of the 2005 levels by 2050. According to the American Council for Capital Formation, it is assumed this bill will include all C02 emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and non-carbon greenhouse gas emissions. To assist in offsetting the cost of the needed technologies, companies can purchase carbon credits.
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