On November 8, 2007, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a full committee hearing on America's Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191), a bill introduced by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) to create a cap-and-trade system to limit emissions of greenhouse gases from the U.S. economy.

One of the witnesses at the hearing was Peter Darbee, Chairman, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation.  Mr. Darbee said that "PG&E believes America's Climate Security Act provides a solid starting point for constructively advancing a comprehensive, national response to and policy on climate change."

He went on to say that "the bill includes provision that prioritize energy efficiency and technology development and deployment, as well as innovative ideas to protect electricity consumers, manage overall program costs, and provide states with the resources to help address the unique needs of their communities and citizens as we transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to a changing environment."

However, he noted that the bill could be improved by including muti-year compliance periods (like those proposed in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Iniative and the Clean Air Planning Act), by increasing the percentage of offsets allowed to be used as a compliance option and by expanding the sources of offsets to include the preservation and restoration of wetlands and preservation of forests.

Click here for a copy of Mr. Darbee's full testimony before the committee.

PG&E Corporation is an energy holding company headquartered in San Francisco.  It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.  Pacific Gas and Electric Company is California's largest utility, providing electric and natural gas service to more than 15 million people throughout northern and central California.  PG&E is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and has among the cleanest mix of electric power of any utility in the country.

PG&E Corporation is a member of the Clean Energy Group and the Clean Air Policy Initiative.

Founded in 1997, The Clean Energy Group is a coalition of electric generating and electric distribution companies that share a commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.  The mission of the Clean Energy Group is to support and enhance the efforts of its members in understanding state and federal legislative, regulatory, and policy developments in the environmental and energy areas.

The Clean Air Policy Initiative is a coalition of eight electric generating and electric distribution companies working to promote a strong national policy that will continue the progress that the electric generating sector has made in reducing its air emissions.

M. J. Bradley & Associates provides administrative and technical services to both the Clean Energy Group and the Clean Air Policy Initiative.