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Skriven 2007-04-20 23:31:04 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0704209) for Fri, 2007 Apr 20
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Fact Sheet: Earth Day 2007
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 20, 2007
Fact Sheet: Earth Day 2007
ÿÿWhite House News
A Record Of Results In Protecting Our Environment
President Bush Is Pursuing Common-Sense Policies To Protect The
Environment.ÿ By encouraging cooperative conservation, innovation, and new
technologies, this Administration has compiled a strong environmental
record.ÿ Because of the President's efforts, America's air is cleaner, our
water is purer, our natural resources are better protected, and we are
taking positive steps to confront the important challenge of climate
change.ÿ For example:
þ Since the President took office, the level of pollutants in our skies
has decreased by more than 10 percent, and two of the five most health
protective clean air rules in EPA's history the Clean Air Nonroad
Diesel Rule and the Clean Air Interstate Rule were adopted.
þ Millions more Americans today are drinking cleaner, safer water than
before the President took office.ÿ
þ Since 2001, we have removed hazardous fuels from more than 19 million
acres of Federal land, restored, improved, or protected more than 2.5
million acres of wetlands, and conserved millions of acres of habitat
through Farm Bill conservation programs.
þ On Earth Day 2007, Administration Officials Will Participate In Events
Across America To Highlight This Strong Commitment To A Healthy
Environment.ÿ Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the
State Department, will participate in events ranging from park cleanups
and tree plantings to children's environmental education events.
The President Is Acting On His Commitment To Good Stewardship And
Conservation Of Our Air, Water, And Land
In The State Of The Union Address, President Bush Announced His "Twenty In
Ten" Plan To Reduce U.S. Gasoline Usage By 20 Percent In The Next Ten
Years.ÿ This goal requires progress on two fronts: reforming fuel economy
standards for cars to make our use of gasoline more efficient, and
harnessing the power of technology to increase the use of alternative
fuels.ÿ Reaching this goal will help address climate change concerns by
reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars, light trucks, and SUVs.ÿ
The President's FY 2008 Budget Includes The Highest Increase Ever In Parks
Operations Funding And Requests The First Funding For The National Parks
Centennial Initiative. ÿThe President's National Parks Centennial
Initiative will enhance our parks leading up to their 100th anniversary by
providing up to $3 billion in public and private investment over 10 years.ÿ
The Initiative includes a Federal commitment of $100 million per year over
10 years for improvements to our parks.ÿ In addition, the President's
Centennial Challenge urges individuals, foundations, and the private sector
to help support the parks by contributing $100 million annually for 10
years.ÿ The President's FY 2008 Budget proposes matching these
contributions.
The President's 2007 Farm BillProposalIncludes $56 Billion Over 10 Years To
Conserve And Protect Natural Resources.ÿ This funding would increase by
over 50 percent the protected acreage under the Wetlands Reserve Program,
create a Regional Water Enhancement Program, and sustain the Conservation
Reserve Program.
On April 13, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed A New Clean
Air Locomotive And Marine Diesel RuleTo Set Stringent Emissions Standards
For Locomotive And Marine Diesel Engines.ÿ This initiative would
significantly reduce air pollution from these engines by cutting
particulate matter by 90 percent and nitrogen oxides emissions by 80
percent.
Setting And Enforcing Tough Standards For Air Quality
The Administration Is Implementing New Clean Air Rules That Will Reduce
Power-Plant Pollution By Approximately 70 Percent And Cut Pollution From
Diesel Fuel Engines By More Than 90 Percent.
þ Clean Air Interstate And Clean Air Mercury Rules: The President issued
the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR)
to require power plants in the eastern part of the United States to cut
emissions of sulfur dioxide and mercury by nearly 70 percent and
nitrogen oxides by nearly 60 percent from 2003 levels, producing
significant improvements to air quality, human health, and natural
resources.
þ Clear Skies Initiative: Clear Skies builds on EPA's Clean Air
Interstate and Clean Air Mercury Rule by requiring nationwide,
permanent caps on emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and
mercury.ÿ Clear Skies will ensure Americans continue to breathe cleaner
air by dramatically reducing air pollution that moves across State
lines.
þ Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule: The new rule requires that soot and
nitrogen oxide emissions be reduced by more than 90 percent and the
sulfur content of diesel fuel be cut by 97 percent.
Preserving And Protecting Natural Resources Through Cooperative
Conservation
The Administration Is Facilitating Cooperative Conservation To Protect The
Environment Through Collaboration Between Government And Private Entities.ÿ
þ Executive Order To Facilitate Cooperative Conservation: In 2004,
President Bush signed Executive Order 13352 directing the Departments
of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce and the Environmental
Protection Agency to implement laws relating to the environment and
natural resources in a manner that promotes cooperative conservation
with an emphasis on local inclusion.
þ Wetlands Initiative: Since 2004, six Federal departments working with
multiple states, communities, tribes, and private landowners have
restored, improved, or protected more than 2.77 million acres of
wetlands.ÿ We are ahead of schedule in reaching our goal of 3 million
wetland acres by 2009.
þ Conservation Tax Incentives: President Bush signed into law a provision
that significantly expanded Federal tax incentives for
conservation-related donations made in 2006 and 2007. ÿThe incentives
promote voluntary land conservation and provide an economic benefit for
family farmers and ranchers.ÿ The President's FY 2008 Budget proposes
to make these tax incentives permanent.
We Are Expanding Conservation To Improve And Protect Our Public Lands.
þ Record Funding For National Parks: The President's FY 2008 parks
budget, totaling nearly $2.4 billion, is the largest ever for park
operations and includes the highest increase ever in park operations
funding.ÿ Since taking office, the President has amplified park
operational spending by more than 40 percent ($584 million).
þ National Wildlife Refuges: This Administration has expanded our parks
and wildlife refuges, including establishing the Great Sand Dunes
National Park and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. ÿThe President's
FY 2008 Budget includes $395 million for our National Wildlife Refuges,
the largest amount ever.
The President Is Committed To Protecting Our Oceans Through Wise
Stewardship And Sensible Management.
þ Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument: President Bush
created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument,
enabling nearly 140,000 square miles of the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands to receive our Nation's highest form of marine environmental
protection. ÿThis Marine National Monument is the largest single area
dedicated to conservation in the history of our country and the largest
protected marine area in the world.
þ Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation And Management Reauthorization
Act Of 2006: By signing this bill, the President reaffirmed our
commitment to protect America's fisheries and keep our commercial and
recreational fishing communities strong.ÿThis Act will end
over-fishing, help us replenish fish stocks, and advance international
cooperation and ocean stewardship.ÿ
Ensuring Public Health And Energy Security With Cleaner Fuels, Improved
Efficiency, And New Technologies
The President Has An Aggressive Agenda To Strengthen America's Energy
Security And Improve The Environment.ÿ His policies seek to reduce carbon
monoxide and cancer-causing benzene emissions and can lead to a reduction
in carbon dioxide emissions from cars, light trucks, and SUVs.
þ Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI): In his 2006 State of the Union
Address, President Bush proposed a 22 percent increase in funding for
2007 for clean energy technology research to change how we power our
homes, businesses, and cars. ÿThe FY 2008 Budget includes $2.7 billion
for the AEI, an increase of 26 percent above the 2007 Budget.
þ Energy Policy Act: Signed by the President in August 2005, the Energy
Policy Act, combined with existing legislation, provides $5 billion
over five years in tax incentives to encourage investments in energy
efficiency and alternative renewable energy sources.ÿ It also
establishes numerous mandates that will improve our energy efficiency.
þ Low Carbon, Clean Coal Technologies: $1 billion in tax credits were
awarded last year, with another $650 million more this year, to help
offset nearly $10 billion in total investment to build highly
efficient, advanced coal projects, using technology that cuts emissions
through efficiency and holds the promise of cost-effective carbon
capture and storage.
Providing A Realistic, Growth-Oriented Approach To Climate Change
The Administration's Climate Change Policy Is Science-Based, Encourages
Research Breakthroughs, And Takes Advantage Of The Power Of Markets To
Bring Technologies Into Widespread Use.ÿ President Bush has committed to
reducing U.S. greenhouse gas intensity 18 percent by 2012, and we are well
on track to meet this goal.ÿ According to the Energy Information Agency,
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased only 0.6 percent between 2004 and
2005 (compared to an average annual 1 percent increase over the 1990-2005
period), and greenhouse gas intensity decreased 2.5 percent.
þ Record Funding For Climate-Related Science, Technology, And Incentive
Programs:ÿSince 2001, the President has requested and Congress has
appropriated on the order of $35 billion for climate-related science,
technology, observations, international assistance, and incentive
programs.ÿ Between 2003 and 2006, the President committed nearly $3
billion annually more than any other country in the world to
climate change technology research and deployment programs.
þ Broad Range Of Domestic Programs: The President launched a
comprehensive portfolio of domestic initiatives to develop new
technologies through dozens of voluntary, incentive-based, and
mandatory programs, including Climate VISION and Climate Leaders,
SmartWay Transportation Program, and the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative.
þ International Leadership: The U.S. is leading the global effort to
promote clean development, enhance energy security, and reduce harmful
air pollution worldwide.ÿ Since June 2001, the United States has
launched bilateral partnerships with 20 nations and the European Union
on issues ranging from climate change science to energy and
sequestration technologies.ÿ
þ Asia-Pacific Partnership On Clean Development And Climate (APP): The
United States joined Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea to
advance the President's goal of developing and deploying cleaner and
more efficient technologies.ÿ APP has initiated nearly 100 programs and
actions to substantially increase investment in promotion of energy
security, reducing air pollution, and confronting climate change in
ways that foster economic growth and poverty reduction.
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