Dear Senators Schumer & Gillibrand,   

As a New York citizen I am writing to invite you to be the lead sponsor in the Senate for U.S. House legislation called THE EARTH ACT TO STOP CLIMATE POLLUTION BY 2030 (HR 598), aka The Earth Bill.

This bill lays out three mandates to reduce the United States’ use of fossil fuels:

1. That all electricity that is sold by retail electric suppliers selling over 1,000 megawatt hours per year will be generated from renewable energy sources as defined as “wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, wave, and existing hydropower sources.”

2. That 100% of all motor vehicles built by companies who engage in the manufacturing of motor vehicles in the U. S. to be “zero emissions vehicles” by 2030.

3. That all publicly traded corporations that are engaged in agriculture and livestock operations must transition to managing 100% of their land and livestock with “regenerative agricultural practices” by 2030, which also includes animal welfare requirements.

This bill is unique in its approach, requiring a 7-year plan for an industry-led transition, beginning with each covered entity submitting their own plan within one year. The concise bill is designed for bi-partisan support, written in a traditionally conservative way with clear rules for business that guarantee demand and revenue streams to secure private investment, with public transparency and self reporting.

Transition costs are supported by 50% grants, double tax-deductions, and overall support. The bill draws a clear line applying rules on major industries, but not on the people, small businesses, or small farmers.  General deductions are disallowed for noncompliance with the bill. 

Economically, The Earth Bill will make the U.S. a leader in accessing the $23 Trillion green economy by 2030. We also will catch up with China which is building renewable energy at a break-neck pace, and get back in the game with England which has 2030 deadlines for clean cars.

CERTAIN EMISSION REDUCTIONS

We must have firm numbers when calculating future expected GHG emission reductions.  The U. S. is currently reducing our greenhouse gases (GHG) approximately 25% from 2005 levels. The IRA projects an additional 10 to 15%, but uptake is unpredictable as voluntary incentives are too uncertain.  We need to go faster and at a larger scale.

Fortunately, scientists from Project Drawdown determined that The Earth Bill - with mandated factory-level transitions - will reduce U.S. GHG Emissions by an additional 40% by 2030. This would meet the U.S. Paris Accord goals, the only legislation to do so, and it would complement the voluntary incentives.

This legislation has science-based deadlines to reduce emissions so we can tell our children that we are doing everything possible to save their future. The Earth Bill is the right approach for the moment. It puts the emphasis on industry. It will reduce consumer costs. And it will give young voters a reason to vote. 

SENATE LANGUAGE

Please note that a process is underway with other major environmental organizations to align on text for the Senate version.  Once that is complete, The Senate Earth Bill will be the most important bill in history - a flagship for the climate movement.  

NEW YORK HOUSE SUPPORT

The Earth Act Bill (H.R. 598) now has three New York Representative cosponsors:  The Lead Sponsor, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12).  Other cosponsors are: Representatives Barbara Lee  (CA-12), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03). 

We look forward to your leadership on this time-urgent action to stop our GHG pollution fast enough to avert the unfolding and irreversible disaster for humanity on Earth. The window to act is open now but quickly closing.

The future will reward the leaders who worked to prevent this disaster while we still had time.  We urge you to please sponsor this bill.  Thank you.