In a March 16th interview with EnergyWashington, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Dingell (D-MI underlined three climate change principles which he feels must be addressed in any such legislation. Dingell said:
- Any bill must apply to all sectors of industry equally, including automakers that he represents in his district outside of Detroit;
- The U.S. needs to get other countries, especially developing ones, on board to reduce GHG emissions. Efforts to curb climate change are futile if China and India continue to increase their emissions while the U.S. is attempting to reduce them;
- Fuel economy for light duty vehicles can be improved, among other strategies.
Dingell added that no decisions have been made regarding a cap-and-trade program and left the door open to other ideas.
Democrats and Republican leaders of the Committee have sent separate letters to industry leaders and trade association heads, soliciting ideas on climate change to help guide efforts to draft legislation.