To his credit, Congressman Dingell, or one of his staffers, just left a comment in response to my last post. In that post, I suggested that the Congressman could be more aggressive in the fight against global warming, and urged his constituents to join me at his Ypsilanti office on April 6 to ask him to do more.

I have the utmost respect for the Congressman as a politician. I think the way he scuttled the idea of a gas tax the other day, for instance, was masterful. (I didn’t agree with it, but I thought that it was brilliant.) I’m glad that we have people with his skill, experience and fierce determination on our side of the aisle. Unfortunately, I think the current situation calls for more than just masterful political cunning. I think that we need to ask him to look beyond the short-term objectives of his most influential backers within the automotive industry, and present the people of America with a long-term vision that we can rally behind. The era of fighting to keep fuel economy standards low, in my opinion, has to end. With all due respect to the Congressman, it isn’t saving jobs, it’s losing them. Just look around. The old Michigan is dying.

Congressman Dingell, you are in a position to help set us on a new path. You have the political capital, the respect, and the ability to do something truly historic (and good for Michigan’s economy) and I’m hopeful that we, your constituents, can help you see that.

Dingell’s proposals are a good first step, but I, and many others in the 15th district, would be happier if they more closely approximated Henry Waxman’s proposed Safe Climate Act, which has been praised by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the League of Conservation Voters, and several other groups that seem to comprehend the serious threat of global warming. The truth of the matter is that we don’t have time for a lot of steps. We need this first one to be significant… The targets of the Safe Climate Act, if you’re unfamiliar with it, are as follows:

”The Safe Climate Act freezes U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, at the 2009 levels. Beginning in 2011, it cuts emissions by roughly 2% per year, reaching 1990 emissions levels by 2020. After 2020, it cuts emissions by roughly 5% per year. By 2050, emissions will be 80% lower than in 1990. These goals are comparable to emissions reduction goals adopted by many states and called for by leading American companies, small businesses, religious organizations, environmental advocates, and others.”

Now, in the spirit of fairness, here is the letter from Dingell, in its entirety.

First, let me say that there is nothing for me to reconsider on global warming. Unfortunately, judging by your posting, you do not have an accurate understanding of my thinking on global warming. I believe it is a fact, it is being caused by human activity, and we must do something this year to address it. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee I have reported out legislation that will take the first strides in asserting American leadership on this problem. Our bill mandates new efficiency standards for appliances, lighting, buildings, construction, and the electricity grid. Furthermore, it will provide millions of dollars to new research into alternative energy, renewable energy, and new technologies that will help wean us off of burning carbon. This legislation will reduce carbon emissions by 8.6 billion tons; equivalent to the annual emissions of all the cars on the road today in America. For those who say this is not enough, I have two comments. First, you are right - this is the beginning of the process, not the end. Second, these numbers are nothing to shake a stick at and I would note that it is dramatically more than what was done in the previous twelve years of Republican leadership.

When Congress returns from its August recess I will shortly thereafter introduce comprehensive economy-wide cap-and-trade legislation that will cut our output of carbon dioxide by as much as 80% by 2050. I understand your concern about fuel economy, it is a concern of mine as well and I support raising CAFE standards in a responsible way (even if some of my detractors want you to believe otherwise). I support legislation that will raise these standards to 35 mpg by 2022. It might not be the splashiest number, but it was chosen with great care and deliberation for the thousands of our family members, friends, and neighbors who work in an auto industry that must compete against competitors that do not have the same health care or pension costs. I believe it will spur the technological solutions that will truly force changes in the cars and trucks we drive. And it takes us forward while protecting American jobs.

I will also be holding town hall meetings on August 7 and 8 specifically about global warming. This is the first time since the Congress began debating the Iraq War that I am having an open forum exclusively devoted to only one subject. I need and want to hear from you, and you need to hear what I am doing, why I am doing it, and how we can work together to solve what I believe will be the moral issue of the 21st Century.

Here are the details of the town hall meetings:

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
3:30pm
Pioneer High School
Schreiber Auditorium
601 W Stadium Blvd
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
5:30pm
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Social Sciences Building
4901 Evergreen Rd
Dearborn, MI 48124
(Park in visitor’s parking structure across from building)

With every good wish,

Sincerely yours,

John D. Dingell
Member of Congress
15th Congressional District, Michigan

The important thing is that all of us in the 15th need to educate ourselves on this issue. We need to step up and accept the responsibility that comes with being in this district. I applaud Dingell for holding these town hall meetings (although I wish the local one was being held at a more accessible time) and I encourage everyone to attend.