Technology not caps in climate change fight

Technological innovation promises to be a far more effective approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions than mandatory caps that will ration the use of America`s most abundant, least costly energy source, said a spokesman for the US’ National Mining Association (NMA).NMA`s director of Government Affairs Craig Montesano told members of the US Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee that imposing a system of mandatory caps on coal-based emissions would raise costs to US consumers and manufacturers but provide insignificant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.With new generation technologies, coal-based energy can generate both real reductions in greenhouse gas intensity and the power needed for growing economies."Clean coal-based electric generation and coal-to-liquids technology can play a vital role in addressing both our economic and environmental challenges," said Mr Montesano, "but not if coal`s use is rationed." Mandatory caps "will discourage investment in new technologies capable of making coal cleaner and also postpone the day when coal-derived fuels become valuable substitutes for imported energy," he said.He observed that the economic performance and compliance record of signatories to the Kyoto Treaty offer little encouragement that mandatory caps will promote either economic growth or significant progress in reducing emissions.According to Mr Montesano, a more effective model for action is the Asian-Pacific Partnership, a multi-lateral agreement among the world`s largest energy users to cooperate voluntarily in adopting technology-based measures designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (April 7)
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