Joe Lieberman: “I am delighted to join today with my colleagues Senator Chafee, the chairman of the Environment and Public Works…”

“I am delighted to join today with my colleagues Senator Chafee, the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senators Mack, Warner, Moynihan, Reid, Wyden, Jeffords, Biden, Baucus, and Collins in introducing this important legislation. The point of this bi-partisan legislation is simple. It will provide credit, under any future greenhouse gas reduction systems we choose to adopt, to companies who act now to reduce their emissions. This is a voluntary, market-based approach that is a win-win situation for both American businesses and the environment. Many companies want to move forward now to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They don't want to wait until legislation requires them to make these reductions. For some companies reducing greenhouse gases makes good economic sense because adopting cost-effective solutions can actually save them money by improving the efficiency of their operations. Companies recognize that if they reduce their greenhouse gas emissions now they will be able to add years to any potential compliance schedule, allowing them to spread their investment costs over a longer span of time. Under this legislation, businesses will have the flexibility to innovate and develop expertise regarding the most cost-effective ways in which their particular company can become part of the solution to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.”