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Testimony ofMichael Williams, SeniorPolicyand LegislativeAdvocate, BlueGreen Alliance May 24,2012
Good afternoon. My name is Mike Williams. I work for the BlueGreen Alliance as a SeniorPolicy and Legislative Advocate, and have the privilegeto help manage their climate and energy work. I am here today to convey the BlueGreen Alliance's support for the proposed Carbon Pollution Standard, and to express our strong desire for a comprehensive solution to addressing climate change.

The BlueGreen Alliance is a national partnership oflabor unions and environmental organizations. Founded in 2006 by the United Steelworkers and the SierraClub, and since expanded to now include four ofthe largest environmental organizations in the country and eight diverse and prominent labor unions. All told, the membership of BGA's partners represents the interests ofover 14 million people across North America.

One ofthe main principles BGA was founded on was the dire need to address climate change. Thatthrough addressing climate change, Americacan build a lasting, sustainable economythat provides high quality employment, and helps rebuild the middle class.

As the Dean ofthe House, Congressman John Dingell, recently said, "We can'tafford to have an economy in which somejobs workfor the future. We need an economy in which they all do." Itis a basic principle- that workers throughout every industry play a vital role in the 21st century, climate-conscious economy. We will achieve this only by reimagining, refocusing, and rebuilding ourcurrenteconomy.
The labor and environmental partners ofour Alliance strongly advocated for a comprehensive approach to America's energy and climate policy, matching mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with an investmentportfolio meantto spur innovation across the many sectors ofthe 21 51 century clean economy, and enhance competitiveness within the traditional sectors.Regretfully, we failed to implementthis approach. NotjustCongress, we all failed.

We must not use this as an excuse to tum our backs from what currently can and must be done. Nor can we use this as an excuse to tumour backs on fiercely advocating for
a comprehensive solution.
The Carbon Pollution Standard fits well withinthe realm ofwhat must be done. This proposed rule comes out ofa long process that includes a mandate :from the Supreme Court and an endangerment finding from the scientists at the EPA.
The standard will apply to future powerplants, limiting the emissions ofgreenhouse gases to a standard on par with a natural gas combined cycle generation or a coal-tired plant equipped with carbon capture and storage. Itwill apply only to largepower plants, and allows for projects that will begin construction within one yearto forgo compliance.
This is a reasonable first step towards addressing climate change. The standard does not affect existingpower generation, but it will ensure that long-term investments in energy infrastructure reflectthe reality ofclimate change, driving investment in clean energy, which we believe will make America more competitive, more energy independent, and will create many goodjobs.
This is a reasonable and necessary first step, butthere is much more that needs to be done. The BlueGreenAlliance believes that in the absence ofa comprehensive climate and clean energy policy, Congress should enact the following policies to complement the Carbon Pollution Standard and ensure that our country fully realizes thejobretention andjob-creatingbenefits ofthe clean energy economy:
l. Create clear market signalsfor clean energy deployment. Congress should pass legislation that sets specific targets for clean energy generation that expands renewable resources and the implementation ofa federal Energy Efficiency Resource Standard. 2. Address global competitiveness. Congress should adopt measures to prevent possible "carbon leakage" and promote the global competitiveness ofenergyintensive industries. Such policies could include a border-adjustment measure to ensure a level playing field. 3. Invest in cleaner, more advanced power generation. Congress should provide direct assistance for advancements in and rapid deployment of technology that will clean up and improvethe efficiency ofpower generation to help insure the continuation ofhighly skilled and living wagejobs.**~·** 4. Provide a propertransition for workers and communities. Congress, states, localities and utilities should ensure that workers and communities affected by the transition to cleaner energy sources are provided with necessary assistance. 5. Guarantee access to capital markets for energy-intensive industries. Tight capital markets and limitedborrowing capacity continue to threatenthe viability ofsome companies. Congress shouldprovide loan guarantees, tax credits, grants, and other forms ofassistance for American industry to make investmentsto increase efficiency and reduce emissions. 6. Rebuild American manufacturing and infrastructure. A vibrant clean energy economy requires that Americaretool it's manufacturingbase and
renew its infrastructure investments. It is imperative that Congress develops a true industrial policy, and also passes a long-term, robust surface transportation bill.

Pollution is, quite simply, a form ofwaste and a sign ofinefficiency. Over and over again the environmental safeguards ofthe last40 years have resulted in waste reduction, energy efficiency, and greater economic competitiveness- creating thousands ofnewjobs and making existingjobs more secure.
In a global economy, where ourinternational competitors are leading in the development ofclean energytechnologies and deployment, retreating from this basic understanding is tantamountto surrendering oureconomic future. Airpollution ofall sorts also puts a tremendous drag on our economic recovery, from increasedhealth
care expenses to the costs ofadapting to changed weatherpatterns. Thus, although the BlueGreen Alliance believes that Congress ultimately should pass comprehensive climate and clean energyjobs legislation, the dangers presentedby climate change and the potential forjobs lost as a result ofinaction- leaving us further behind in the global clean energy market- are too great to delay any further the process ofcuttingU.S. carbonpollution under the existing law. Finally, all too oftenpeople are offered a false choice between having goodjobs or a clean environment. Thetruth is we don'thave to choose betweenjobs andthe environment; we can and must have both.