WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee released the following statement today following President Bush’ speech announcing new initiatives on air pollution and climate change: “President Bush put us on a path today toward a realistic effort to improve the quality of our air and protect our environment. He outlined a realistic alternative to the Kyoto Protocol, a flawed proposal that would have cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs, let much of the world off without cost, and produced very little benefit in the end. “The President has articulated a vision for a future where we can both address the potential risk of climate change and maintain a bright economic future for all Americans. We must make the air cleaner and safer for all the world to breathe. Economic and environmental concerns can be addressed in concert. American ingenuity can ensure that at no point do we need to sacrifice either our economy or our environment to benefit the other. “The President’s new climate program is in line with realistic expectations first established in the Senate. The plan incorporate the best elements of legislation now pending before the Senate. It will accelerate the development of the American technology we will need to meet America’s energy needs without substantially increasing our emissions. “At the same time, it provides incentives to allow U.S. companies to voluntarily reduce emissions, protect their investments in doing so, and create new markets for climate-related products and services. The President’s plan will also focus on developing partnerships with our global allies to take advantage of the affordable opportunities to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions outside the U.S. And it will invest the necessary funds in climate science activities to give us a better idea of the risks we may face from climate change. “For several years, I have worked within the Senate to promote this kind of new way forward on climate change. I look forward to working with him and my Senate colleagues in the coming months to enact those legislative changes which may be necessary to implement his vision.” ###