$4B Sought To Combat Global Warming

By H. Josef Hebert Copyright 1999 Associated Press January 26, 1999

The Clinton administration, stymied in getting quick acceptance of the Kyoto climate treaty, will seek $4 billion next year to pursue an "aggressive, commonsense" policy that addresses the threat of global warming.

White House officials disclosed late Monday that President Clinton intends to propose as part of his next budget sharp increases in climate-change related spending and tax breaks in hopes of reducing the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Vice President Al Gore said the additional spending, which is expected to meet stiff resistance in Congress, represents "significant new investments ... to accelerate our aggressive, commonsense efforts to meet the challenge of global warming."

The proposals will be part of the fiscal 2000 budget the president will send to Congress next month.

A linchpin of the climate initiative will be a plan to create a $200 million "clean air partnership fund" that would be used to generate millions of dollars more in state and private funds to help reduce greenhouse gases, chiefly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels.

A senior White House official said the money, which in many cases will be tied to promises of state matching funds, can be used for a wide variety of programs from retrofitting buildings to purchasing more fuel-efficient or cleaner burning vehicles. Some of the funds would be used to promote public-private partnerships to reduce greenhouse gases, including voluntary efforts by companies to improve energy efficiency.

The administration will argue to Congress that the funds will be earmarked for programs that not only address climate change, but also reduce urban smog and other air pollution by reducing emissions from automobiles or coal-burning power plants.

The initiative will help states and communities meet tougher smog requirements and other clean air rules being developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, officials said.

"Efforts to address global warming can at the same time help to protect public health," said Gore of the new spending programs.

Clinton alluded to the clean air fund in his State of the Union address last week, but provided no details.

The administration also is proposing $105 million, more than double the current levels, for research into how agriculture and forests can offset greenhouse gas emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Much of the climate package including proposals for more than $1.4 billion in tax incentives are aimed at promoting energy efficiency and spurring developing of new energy technologies to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.

These include:

_$1.4 billion in spending for research and development into more energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy programs such as solar and wind power, a 34 percent increase over such spending this year.

_Tax credits for purchase of ultra-energy-efficient homes or energy-efficient equipment, or for the purchase of electric, hybrid or fuel cell vehicles expected to begin hitting showrooms over the next few years.

_$122 million to spur technology for cleaner burning, coal-fired power plants.

A similar package of research dollars and tax incentives was proposed last year, but stalled in Congress amid charges from Republican critics that the administration was trying to implement the Kyoto accord without it first being sent to Congress for ratification.

Congressional opposition, especially among Republicans leery of the Kyoto climate agreement, is likely to be strong again this year.

Last week, Sen. Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, demanded that the White House send the Kyoto climate treaty up for ratification, sure that such an attempt would fail. Administration officials have said they don't expect the treaty to be submitted to Congress until after the 2000 election.

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