PBS高端访谈:美国环保局局长为白宫节能减排的计划摇旗呐喊

 　　GWEN IFILL: From the night he was reelected, President Obama has made clear that cutting greenhouse gas emissions¹ was a centerpiece of his second-term agenda.

　　Today, his administration unveiled its biggest effort yet to tackle the issue of climate change, one loaded with political land mines and plenty of opposition² about its ultimate impact.

　　GINA MCCARTHY, Administrator³, Environmental Protection Agency: This is not just about disappearing polar bears and melting icecaps, although I like polar bears and I know about melting icecaps. This is about protecting our health and it is about protecting our homes. This is about protecting local economies and it is about protecting jobs.

　　GWEN IFILL: EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy laid out the carbon-cutting plan, arguing it's good for both the environment and the economy.

　　The 645-page proposal requires existing coal-powered plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 30 percent overall by 2030 from 2005 levels. And it allows states to meet the target by shifting to wind and solar energy or creating regional anti-pollution initiatives.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: aThis plan is all about flexibility⁴. That's what makes it ambitious, but also achievable. That's how we keep our energy affordable⁵ and reliable.

　　GWEN IFILL: Some coal-producing states might be allowed extra time to meet the new standards, even until as long as 2018, well after President Obama has left office.

　　The president made his case Saturday in his weekly radio address, shifting the argument from science to health.

　　PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We don't have to choose between the health of our economy and the health of our children. The old rules may say we can't protect our environment and promote economic growth at the same time, but, in America, we have always used new technology to break the old rules.

　　GWEN IFILL: Coal and natural gas plants are responsible for nearly 40 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. But those emissions had already dropped nearly 13 percent since 2005, due in part to increased use of natural gas and more stringent⁶ vehicle efficiency standards.

　　But the National Association of Manufacturers warned today the new rules will threaten American jobs and investments.

　　Jay Timmons is the group's president.

　　JAY TIMMONS, National Association of Manufacturers: So the president's unilateral action could shift production to nations like China and India. And that would likely mean a rise in global greenhouse gas emissions. A better strategy would be to promote policies that support manufacturers in the United States, because we have demonstrated a commitment, a commitment to protecting the environment.

　　GWEN IFILL: And in a statement, House Speaker John Boehner said: “The president's plan is nuts. There is really no more succinct⁷ way to describe it. Americans are still asking, where are the jobs? And here he is proposing rules to ship jobs overseas for years to come.”

　　Environmental groups generally welcomed the plan, although some said it doesn't go far enough. At the same time, two West Virginia congressmen, Democrat⁸ Nick Rahall and Republican David McKinley, announced they will introduce legislation to block the EPA from ever putting the plan into effect.

　　EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy joins me now for the administration view.

　　Welcome.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Thank you.

　　GWEN IFILL: So what is the cost here that we're talking about? We have heard a lot of numbers and there are a lot of accusations⁹ about the cost in not only electricity bills, our bills, but also in jobs.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, we paid special attention to both achieving some significant reductions in harmful carbon pollution and protecting public health, but we also looked at the economic implications, and it's all in the package.

　　We are talking about allowing creative and flexible approaches by states so they can build more renewable energy, they can look at energy efficiency strategies. On the whole, we are going to get significant reductions of both carbon pollution and other traditional pollutants¹¹ that directly impact public health.

　　This package can deliver up to $90 billion in benefits by 2030.

　　GWEN IFILL: Are you suggesting that the jobs that might be lost by plants closing would be gained by the creation of other things, renewables, solar…GINA MCCARTHY: Our analysis does show that there's going to be job growth in — throughout the United States as a result of this package.

　　And it also shows that states have the ability to protect their coal industry, if that's most important to them, and to shift other strategies into the market that will achieve the carbon reductions we're looking for.

　　GWEN IFILL: Your research also shows that electricity rates would go up 4 to 7 percent by, I think it's 2020. Is that not — the prices will increase? Is that just a short-term hit?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: That is a short-term hit. That is — represents about $4 to $7 on a family's budget every month.

　　But it is very clear that that all depends on what states want to do. And so they can look at developing efficiency programs that will reduce demand. And in fact we see that as the most cost-effective strategy for most states. So, by 2030, we are actually looking at electricity bills for families going down by 8 percent.

　　There is a short investment opportunity that — where bills could go up a slight amount, but that's normal fluctuations¹² of bills we see every day. And in the end, you are going to get a cleaner, more efficient energy industry across the U.S., and that's going to benefit everybody. It's going to benefit public health. It's going to benefit the climate, and it's going to benefit jobs and local economies.

　　GWEN IFILL: If you let states basically do what they can do to adjust depending on how much of a carbon footprint they have, how do you hold them accountable?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, we actually will treat this as we have any other rule under the Clean Air Act. They are going to have to submit a plan, and we're going to have to track that.

　　And if they are falling short, they are going to have to make it up. We have ways of working with our states. But our states in this instance, they are partners. We're giving them maximum flexibility to design a plan that works for them, for their diverse fuel system, for the direction they want to head in renewables and efficiency.

　　We're allowing them maximum flexibility, knowing that they're going to have to come to the table. And, hopefully, that flexibility will allow them to design a plan that's meaningful for them, both environmentally and for their economy. And we will work it through. We always do.

　　GWEN IFILL: Well, some of — well, and you have had some success so far. Already, you're halfway¹³ toward this goal. But a lot of states say that they have already done all the hard stuff — I mean, all the easy stuff that would allow to make these cuts, and that the hard stuff lies ahead.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, we don't disagree that states are in different places.

　　And that's why, in the development of this plan, we didn't just do a national one-size-fits-all. We looked at where every state was, what the diversity of their fuel mix was, how many renewables, what their intent was with renewables, what is the opportunity for efficiency, and we designed individual state goals that we thought were reasonable.

　　But that's the reason for a comment period. We have a 120-day comment period. And we will expect states to comment on that. But we think it's more appropriate for us to set individual state goals that are sensitive to the state's individual circumstance and look for opportunities for reductions, which will mean in some states you can get more, and other states, they have done a lot, they get credit for that, and they don't do quite as much.

　　GWEN IFILL: Normally, when we have conversations about climate change, it's all about the science of climate change.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Yes.

　　GWEN IFILL: This time, it seems to be — there seems to be a shift in emphasis. So, we're talking about health benefits and economic benefits.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: We are.

　　GWEN IFILL: Was that done on purpose?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, I think, normally, when we talk about science, we're talking about just the science and not the actions.

　　Right now, the president is interested in making sure that we all go beyond the science, listen to what it says, and put that into action. EPA's rules are all about protecting public health and protecting the environment. Climate impacts public health. And we also get reductions in direct pollutants that directly impact public health.

　　This is really beneficial for the health and well-being¹⁴ of American families.

　　GWEN IFILL: We know what the critics say. In fact, we're going to talk to a critic in a moment. But what about the environmentalists who say that you didn't go far enough, that you could have pushed this even more?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, I think they want to be cognizant of the fact that this is a Clean Air Act initiative where we're looking at reducing carbon in a reasonable, practical, cost-effective way.

　　This is what we have done. This is a long-term strategy that is going to move us to a better place for clean energy all around and a more sustainable and effective and efficient supply. But what's most important is that we didn't go outside the boundaries of the Clean Air Act. This is not a climate strategy.

　　This is a significant step forward that actually shows great presidential and this country's leadership, so that we can have that international discussion that is going to get us to a global solution.

　　GWEN IFILL: You have been traveling the country trying to till the ground, I suppose, as this was coming down the track. What do you say to Democrats¹⁵ like Mary Landrieu in Louisiana, or Alison Lundergan Grimes, who is running for Senate in Kentucky, or in West Virginia? What do you say to these senators from coal states who say, you're hurting us?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Well, I think we need to work through the rule.

　　It's complicated, but we did the best job that we could to recognize that coal is in the mix today, and it is going to be in the mix almost at the same levels in 2030. But what you're going to see in 2030 is more efficient plants. And you are going to see a lot more fuel diversity, with renewables and energy efficiency investments being made. This on the whole is great for the economy and it's great for jobs.

　　GWEN IFILL: You don't expect — but you don't expect Democrats from coal states to be able to — to be willing to make that case?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: I actually think they should look at it.

　　We gave every state the opportunity to say where they wanted investments to happen. Some of them will invest in their coal units. They will get them more efficient and they will stay for a long time. We see the shift in coal from about 37 percent of electricity being generated by coal today to 30 percent to 31 percent in 2030.

　　That is not a large shift, and you will have facilities that know where they stand in a carbon-constrained world.

　　GWEN IFILL: Pardon me for the interruption. Do you worry that the Supreme¹⁶ Court or Congress could shut you down on this?

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Oh, the Supreme Court has spoken on this issue a number of times and told us it's perfectly¹⁷ appropriate — in fact, our responsibility — to look at carbon as a potential pollutant¹⁰ in the Clean Air Act.

　　We did the endangerment finding. It's done. It's been asked, it's been asked, it's been answered, it's been answered. So, we're pretty safe in that regard.

　　And Congress will — has every ability to look at the issue of climate itself and speak to this issue. But I'm staying in my lane. This is an act that Congress passed, that gave to EPA, and gave us both the responsibility and the authority to address pollution that endangers public health. Carbon pollution is that.

　　GWEN IFILL: EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, thank you for joining us.

　　GINA MCCARTHY: Thank you very much.

1 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

4 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

5 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

6 stringent   

adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的

参考例句：

• Financiers are calling for a relaxation of these stringent measures.金融家呼吁对这些严厉的措施予以放宽。
• Some of the conditions in the contract are too stringent.合同中有几项条件太苛刻。

7 succinct   

adj.简明的，简洁的

参考例句：

• The last paragraph is a succinct summary.最后这段话概括性很强。
• A succinct style lends vigour to writing.措辞简练使文笔有力。

8 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

9 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

10 pollutant   

n.污染物质，散布污染物质者

参考例句：

• Coal itself is a heavy pollutant.煤本身就是一种严重的污染物。
• Carbon dioxide may not be a typical air pollutant.二氧化碳可能不是一种典型的污染物。

11 pollutants   

污染物质（尤指工业废物）( pollutant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Pollutants are constantly being released into the atmosphere. 污染物质正在不断地被排放到大气中去。
• The 1987 Amendments limit 301(g) discharges to a few well-studied nonconventional pollutants. 1987年的修正案把第301条（g）的普通排放限制施加在一些认真研究过的几种非常规污染物上。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

12 fluctuations   

波动，涨落，起伏( fluctuation的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He showed the price fluctuations in a statistical table. 他用统计表显示价格的波动。
• There were so many unpredictable fluctuations on the Stock Exchange. 股票市场瞬息万变。

13 halfway   

adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途

参考例句：

• We had got only halfway when it began to get dark.走到半路，天就黑了。
• In study the worst danger is give up halfway.在学习上，最忌讳的是有始无终。

14 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

15 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

17 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。