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Statement from Deputy
Republican Leader Doug Ericksen on Climate Action Team
Climate Action Team member: “We need balanced
solutions that take into account not only our environment, but jobs,
taxes and quality of life”
“We all want a healthy
environment, and it’s encouraging to know Washington already has one of
the smallest carbon footprints of any state.
“Much like other Gregoire plans, nothing will actually be done until
2009 or beyond. This gives the state time to consider more balanced
solutions that take into account not only our environment, but jobs,
taxes and quality of life. The governor has left a lot of important
questions unanswered and House Republicans will take the time to answer
them.
“As the science that surrounds the issue of climate change evolves, we
are encouraging the governor to allow new science to be considered.
Ignoring views that do not match the set agenda is not in the best
interest of our state.”
Ericksen believes the state should be guided by five main
principles when addressing global warming:
1. Increase the standard of living of citizens while
minimizing negative impacts on quality of life.
2. Protect citizens from government and corporate fraud
that exploits global warming fears to increase taxes or creates false
markets, resulting in windfall profits to some companies.
3. Decrease energy demand through technology, while
preventing energy costs increases for consumers.
4. Ensure market solutions and private sector
innovations are the focus of all plans.
5. Allow new science to be considered in the global
warming debate (Governor Gregoire is not allowing new science of human
impacts on global warming to be discussed by the Climate Action Team).
Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, can be contacted at (360)
786-7980 or
ericksen.doug@leg.wa.gov
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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