KPLU Local News
(2010-06-03)
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Among the major elements of the energy bill sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman is a cap-and-trade system. It would make industries pay for the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases they release into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels.
Sarah Severn with Nike says that's an important step toward a clean-energy economy.
"We believe that putting a significant price on carbon will move us more rapidly down a path of innovation," she said, "because it will unleash capital that has been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a signal from Congress."
She said the U.S. risks falling behind companies in Europe and China in developing clean-tech industries.
Severn was one of several representatives from Northwest businesses who spoke during a conference call sponsored by the Seattle-based environmental group Climate Solutions. Weyerhaeuser, REI and other companies cited the threats to their businesses from climate change and urged senators from Northwest states to pass the Kerry-Lieberman bill this year.
The House of Representatives passed a similar bill last summer.
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