WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), a conservative organization advancing clean energy policies, welcomed the introduction of the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020 introduced by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The Growing Climate Solutions Act will help solve technical entry barriers to farmer and forest landowner participation in carbon credit markets.
In response to today’s bill introduction, CRES Executive Director Heather Reams offered the following statement:
“I commend the bipartisan leadership of Senators Braun, Graham, Stabenow and Whitehouse for developing this much-needed, practical, and bipartisan legislation. Just like many other sectors, the agricultural community has been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as we seek to move the economy from the rescue to recovery phase, we know that we must redouble our efforts in dealing with our climate challenges. This bill empowers farmers to help solve the climate change problem. The introduction of the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020 could not come at a better time. If enacted, it would provide not only additional revenue streams to our struggling agriculture sector by sequestering greenhouse gases in soil, but also would be a model framework of thoughtful, limited government policy for other industries. I urge Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation.”
Today’s bill introduction marks nearly two years of effort by CRES to establish a voluntary framework to empower people and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions taking a limited government approach. In September 2018, CRES was the first to introduce the voluntary framework to address climate change problems. In early 2019, CRES started to socialize the conservative climate proposal with House and Senate members, receiving early support from Sen. Braun and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) included the voluntary framework as part of the Green Real Deal. In late 2019, CRES Forum included the voluntary framework in its submission to the House Select Committee and connected the dots between carbon capture and voluntary framework in a piece, The Fizz in Your Drink is More Connected to Climate Change than You Think. The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020 will decrease greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the costs associated with achieving climate goals, and grow the market for clean energy and climate solutions.
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Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) engages Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge. CRES recently launched a campaign, Clean Energy Forward, to highlight Republican members of Congress who have championed commonsense clean energy policies and recognize the importance of these policies in reviving the economy and getting Americans back to work.