June 21, 2022

The CEO Climate Dialogue — a broad-based coalition of 26 leading businesses and institutions representing sectors across the U.S. economy — oil and gas, utilities, agriculture and food, automotive, chemicals, manufacturing, financial services, and environmental advocacy — released the following statement in response to the introduction of the Clean Competition Act introduced by Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Coons (D-DE), Sen. Schatz (D-HI), and Sen. Heinrich (D-NM) last week.

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“CCD supports market-based climate policy that reduces emissions and minimizes carbon leakage. An economy-wide price on carbon, coupled with a carbon border adjustment, can reduce emissions, create clean energy jobs and unleash American innovation, while ensuring that emissions reductions in one country aren’t erased by increases elsewhere. We commend the Senators for introducing legislation that could bolster US economic competitiveness while combatting the global climate crisis and look forward to working with members of Congress to ensure climate action is prioritized this year.”

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This bill would impose a carbon border adjustment on energy intensive imports, while incentivizing decarbonization of domestic manufacturing. To learn more about the bill, click here. To read what CEO Climate Dialogue members—Holcim US, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Environmental Defense Fund—and other have said in reaction to the bill, see below or click here.

 

• “Holcim US would like to thank Senator Whitehouse and cosponsors for their leadership on the Clean Competition Act. Holcim US, like other American manufacturers, is working every day to drive innovation that reduces the carbon footprint of our products. The Clean Competition Act helps ensure that climate-conscious companies like ours can compete on a level playing field, while succeeding in the global economy. The bill creates a series of market-driven mechanisms that reward decarbonization efforts and help fund future research, development, and deployment efforts necessary to reach a net-zero carbon future. We hope Congress will work swiftly to adopt policies that help reward American manufacturing and create the clean energy jobs of the future,” said Virgilio Barrera, Director of Government and Public Affairs at Holcim US, the world’s largest cement and building materials company.

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• “Senator Whitehouse’s Clean Competition Act represents a promising new approach to tackling climate pollution whether in the United States or abroad. By imposing a fee on imports of carbon intensive goods while simultaneously rewarding cleaner production here at home, the proposal would contribute to a level playing field for U.S. manufacturers – helping to secure America’s carbon advantage and maintain our economic competitiveness. A strong and well-designed carbon border adjustment has the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing economic competitiveness,” said Nat Keohane, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. “We commend the senators for their work on this important topic and look forward to continue working with Congress, companies, and other stakeholders to advance ambitious and durable climate policies.”

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• “This carbon border adjustment mechanism would boost American competitiveness while creating incentives for cleaner manufacturing at home and abroad. EDF commends Senators Whitehouse, Coons, Schatz, and Heinrich for their commitment to fighting climate change and his efforts to find common sense ways to cut pollution and grow the economy,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund.