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Enron Mail |
To: Mike Terraso
=20 cc: Jeff Keeler Steve Kean Linda Robertson Catherine McKalip-Thompson From: Lisa Jacobson Re: White House Climate Change Task Force Date: April 16, 2001 Per your request, here is some preliminary information on the=20 Administration's climate change task force. First, there is a White House= =20 climate change task force and it has met at least twice already. It is=20 coordinated by the Domestic Policy Council and the National Economic=20 Council. Emphasis during the first meetings has been on procedure, educati= on=20 and review of the key issues. The task force facilitates the Administration=01,s ongoing "cabinet level= =20 review" on climate change policy. They are aiming for as high a level of= =20 participation as possible, but acting and deputy assistant secretaries have= =20 also been attending. White House staff is being very tight-lipped about th= e=20 task force discussions due to political sensitivities and fears of media=20 leaks. =20 =20 The task force will solicit input from outside stakeholders (scientists,=20 industry and environmental groups), but as I understand it, participation o= n=20 the task force is limited to government officials. =20 The task force is set to meet frequently - possibly weekly - over the next= =20 six weeks. I have heard different descriptions of its objectives. Some ha= ve=20 said its goal is to develop broad principles, procedures and a strategy in= =20 preparation for the resumed international negotiations in Bonn, Germany thi= s=20 July (COP-6 II). Others suggest that the White House intends to release a= =20 specific proposal on climate change, with domestic and international=20 components, as early as next month. =20 On the domestic front, Enron has been providing input to the Administration= =20 on our creative ideas for a multi-pollutant air emissions strategy for the= =20 power generation sector. We have been invited to provide input on=20 international proposals, with a preferred timeline of this week. At this stage, each task force meeting is dedicated to covering a different= =20 topic (i.e., science, economic impacts, role of technology, etc.). The=20 meetings tend to have an educational angle, as many participants are not=20 familiar with these specific and technical issues. The task force has like= ly=20 not yet delved into analysis of the market-based mechanisms (emissions=20 trading or project-based options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) or oth= er=20 issues related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate=20 Change/Kyoto Protocol negotiations. Enron has an excellent relationship with John Howard, the task force=20 coordinator from the Domestic Policy Council. Jeff and I plan to meet with= =20 Bob McNally, the National Economic Council coordinator, tomorrow.=20 Jeff and I also would like to talk with you about strategy and=20 recommendations for the White House on international proposals. It would b= e=20 valuable for Enron to weigh in supporting: ? Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even in the absence of scientif= ic=20 certainty on climate change ? Continued U.S. engagement in international efforts to reduce greenhouse g= as=20 emissions=20 ? Flexibility for industry to meet emission reduction goals ? Market-based approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - like emissio= ns=20 trading - that allow reductions to occur at lower costs to consumers,=20 governments and businesses=20 ? Cooperation with developing countries to ensure their participation in an= y=20 treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - however, developed countries=20 should be encouraged to take action now and work towards solutions These bullets are consistent with Enron=01,s current position statement. = =20 I will work to confirm whether the task force has non-government members an= d=20 how industry and, more specifically, Ken Lay and Enron could participate an= d=20 provide input. Please let me know if you have any questions.=20 Lisa Jacobson Enron Manager, Environmental Strategies 1775 Eye Street, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: +(202) 466-9176 Fax: +(202) 331-4717
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