Welch lays out steps to address global warming

By DAVID GRAM

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Ducking out of a hot midday sun and into the shade of a tree outside the Statehouse, Democratic congressional candidate Peter Welch called Tuesday for several steps to address global climate change.

Welch said there was no doubt in his mind that the large majority of scientists who have studied the issue are right when they say that human-generated emissions into the atmosphere, especially of carbon dioxide, are contributing to global warming.

"I believe the question has been asked. The question has been answered. It's time to act," said the Hartland resident, who is currently president pro tem of the Vermont Senate.

He criticized remarks attributed to Republican congressional candidate Martha Rainville by the Burlington weekly newspaper Seven Days. The paper's July 12 edition quoted Rainville as saying people should educate themselves on the issue.

"There are obviously different opinions on global warming, but the overarching question is, what is global warming?" Rainville told Seven Days. "What is the extent of it? How much of it is influenced by man and the decisions that we make? And what ought we to be doing?"

Rainville spokesman Brendan McKenna said Tuesday, "Martha Rainville supports any common-sense, economically viable plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions, reduce America's oil consumption and protect the environment. We also need to find ways to promote green businesses so they're economically sound."

The campaign also released a statement that quoted Rainville saying, "Over the long-term, I believe America should join with the world's other big energy consumers, such as China and India, to coordinate our technology and manpower to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels."

Welch laid out several steps he said the nation should be taking to address global warming. Among them:

- Increase fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks and provide incentives to car companies to make efficient, and alternative energy vehicles, as well as those that can run on a variety of fuels.

- Reverse tax cuts given to oil and natural gas companies last year, and restore royalties that had been charged to them for drilling on public land, and put the money instead toward renewable energy development, alternative energy forms and efficiency.

- Develop a "Marshall Plan of the 21st Century" to promote innovation, business development and trade with developing countries.

- Have the United States sign onto the Kyoto protocols on reducing greenhouse gas emissions internationally.

- Create tax incentives and credits to support companies involved in alternative energy.

- Provide grants to research universities to help educate "green business leaders" and develop new technologies.

Welch cited recent media reports about efforts by the Bush administration to discourage federal scientists from speaking out about global warming.

The problem will not be solved overnight, but "I think you have to begin," Welch said. "First of all, what do you have at the federal level? Denial about the existence of this problem. As long as you have denial, there's going to be no effort to make progress."