The mining industry and NMA were high profile participants in the Bush administration's unveiling this week of "Climate VISION," the first phase of a long-term national plan to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the U.S. economy through voluntary initiatives.
In response to President Bush's February 2002 climate challenge, NMA developed the "Mining Industry Climate Action Plan", a six-part mobilization strategy to increase efficiency and decrease carbon intensity.
This week's rollout included participation by an extraordinary number of Cabinet-level dignitaries, including Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael Jackson, and Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, representing President Bush.
Abraham said the commitments made by industry — including mining — are "not just good policy, (they're) good business. And EPA Administrator Whitman emphasized the effectiveness of voluntary initiatives, saying, "We know they work." In addition to mining, 17 other industry associations presented plans on behalf of their industries.
Immediately prior to the administration event, NMA President and CEO Jack N. Gerard, Senior Economist Connie Holmes, and Senior Vice President -- Communications Carol Raulston conducted a briefing for invited press at association headquarters, providing background on MICAP and the association's climate position.
MICAP focuses on carbon dioxide and methane emissions and emphasizes the potential of technology, efficiency and innovative reclamation of mine sites to meet the plan's objectives.
Gerard said MICAP is a "thorough and inventive way forward for addressing the climate issue throughout all segments of the mining industry. America's mining companies are committed to showing that targeted research, operating efficiency improvements and technological innovations are the world's most effective alternatives to outdated command-and-control methodologies that too often exact harsh economic penalties."
In a statement released by the White House, President Bush said mining and the other participating industries "have committed to actions that will prevent millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decade. I commend these initiatives, which will help these businesses and industries continue to improve their energy efficiency and overall productivity, while contributing toward achieving our goal to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the American economy."
Page Last Modified: August 7, 2008
