Senators Introduce Bipartisan Super Pollutants Act of 2014

Statement

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) were joined by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) yesterday to introduce the Super Pollutants Act of 2014 --the first bipartisan climate bill of 2014, which aims to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). The legislation will help reduce SLCPs in the atmosphere by taking a number of steps to enable federal agencies to work with the business and non-profit communities to speed the adoption of SLCP-reducing technologies and policies, all while supporting American-led innovations. For example, the legislation would:

* Foster interagency cooperation on super pollutants;
* Prioritize commonsense emissions reduction strategies, and employ existing federal authorities and diplomatic programs;
* Recycle high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants;
* Mitigate methane leaks;
* Expand access to diesel-scrubbing technologies.

SLCPs, referred to as "super pollutants," are non-carbon dioxide greenhouse pollutants that cause 40 percent of global warming. SLCPs range from methane that is leaked by landfills and oil and gas exploration, to refrigerants leaking from refrigerators and air conditioners, to soot from diesel engines and millions of traditional cookstoves all over the developing world. Studies show that fast action to reduce SLCPs in the atmosphere could cut the rate of sea level rise by 25 percent, almost halve the rate of temperature rise, prevent two million premature deaths each year, and avoid crop losses of over 30 million tons annually.

"Short-lived climate pollutants are the problem too few people are talking about, but are doing some of the worst damage to the atmosphere," said Murphy. "As we work to combat threats to our climate, we can't leave short-lived pollutants out of the equation. Our bill will take these dangerous pollutants head on by making smarter use of tools already at our disposal here in the United States. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan proposal to address a global threat with Senator Collins and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it and help us reduce these super pollutants."

"Climate change is a significant challenge that requires global solutions in order reduce greenhouse gas pollution worldwide," said Collins. "The bipartisan legislation that I am introducing with Senator Murphy would address short-lived climate pollutants, an area where the U.S. is already poised to be a leader. With improved interagency cooperation and through commonsense efforts to reduce the emissions of these super pollutants, this proposal aims to meaningfully and quickly help slow climate warming."

"I am deeply concerned about the effects that greenhouse gases have on our planet," said Sanders. "This bill would help to develop strategies to reduce emissions of super pollutants like methane, which are huge contributors to climate change."

"At a time when a barricade of special interests has largely blocked Congressional action on climate change, this bipartisan legislation offers some hope that we can work together for the good of our environment, public health, and future generations," said Whitehouse. "Cutting emissions of super pollutants is an important step to addressing the dangerous threat of climate change. I thank Senators Murphy and Collins for leading this effort, and I'm proud to support it."

"Climate change is already hurting Oregon's farming, fishing and forest industries, and we need bipartisan cooperation to take on this urgent challenge," Merkley said. "With this bill, we are working together to take on the worst-of-the-worst climate pollutants and support the American innovation that will move our country forward."

"We have an environmental, economic, and moral imperative to address climate change, and we need to act now," King said. "It's becoming more and more evident that SLCPs are responsible for nearly half of the emissions causing global warming, which means we have an easy first target. Our bipartisan bill will make it easier to bring together all the tools at our disposal by encouraging increased interagency cooperation and harnessing the power of new and emerging technologies."

"These "super pollutants' are some of the most potent greenhouse pollutants out there, and they're inflicting major damage on our atmosphere and environment," Klobuchar said. "By expanding the use of technologies that help fight these dangerous pollutants, this bipartisan bill will help us combat climate change while promoting American industries."

"Countering global warming is one of the most important challenges of our time," Feinstein said. "This is why I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this bill, which would reduce emissions of climate pollutants that are shorter-lived than carbon dioxide, but more potent. This is an important step and a natural complement to the Clean Power Plan proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. We cannot ignore the scientific facts about how our carelessness is changing the climate. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, Congress must address global warming."

"This bill takes smart steps to tackle the problem of super pollutants that remain in our atmosphere for only a short time, but that cause lasting damage and are significant drivers of global climate change," said Warren. "We are on the cusp of a climate crisis that threatens our health, our economy and our planet, and we must work together on smart policies like these so that we can build a better future for our kids and grandkids."