Entergy CEO Wayne Leonard wants quick action from Congress to curb climate change.
Speaking to a packed crowd at the Clinton School, Leonard said those who argue against climate legislation are in favor of “mortgaging your future for what is most convenient right now.”
“In my view, there is no longer any credible argument against the science of climate change,” he said.
Leonard said a growing consensus in the scientific community about the affect of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate shows a strong possibility of a “catastrophic outcome,” if the problem is not addressed.
“We are playing Russian roulette with the planet and our economy,” Leonard said. “The difference is there is a bullet in every chamber except one.”
However, cutting greenhouse gas emissions will not be cheap, as some argue, Leonard warned.
“Energy costs are going to go up,” he said. “I can assure you of that.”
Leonard suggested several policies to combat costs and curb carbon emissions, such as returning revenues generated under a cap-and-trade system to consumers, particularly low-income Americans.
Leonard also refuted those who call for the immediate closing of all coal power plants in the country.
Attaching CO2 scrubbers to existing power plants to curb emissions would be “far cheaper than shutting plants down,” he said.
“We can’t solve the climate crisis without carbon capture and sequestration technology,” Leonard said.
Leonard said the United States should “take the lead” in fighting climate change and adopt a policy that can bring developing countries, like China and India, along.
Video of Leonard’s lecture will be posted soon at www.clintonschoolspeakers.com.
Responses