NEWS OF THE WEEK
The partnership's 10 corporations have a market capitalization of more than $750 billion. Members include Alcoa, BP America, Caterpillar, Duke Energy, DuPont, FPL Group, General Electric, Lehman Brothers, PG&E, and PNM Resources, as well as EnvironCLIMATE CHANGE: Quick action mental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, on bill setting mandatory U.S. Pew Center on Global Climate Change, and World Resources Institute. greenhouse gas reductions is goal The proposal urges the U.S. to enter and become a leader in the international debate over global greenEADERS OF 10 CORPORATIONS and four house gas emission solutions but adds that U.S. actions environmental groups have called on President should not be contin- ^ George W. Bush and Congress to pass within one gent upon similar ones § year national legislation requiring mandatory cuts in in other countries. g greenhouse gas emissions. The plan was re? Meeting last week in Washington, D.C., the leadleased the day before £ ers—who call themselves the U.S. Climate Action Bush's State of the Partnership—laid out a program based on declining Union address, where mandatory carbon dioxide emissions caps backed up he spoke of climate by C0 2 trading among emitters. The mandatory caps change for the first would kick in under a phased schedule beginning in five time in his annual years with emissions to be 100-105% of today's level; address. Although he in 10 years, the cap would drop to 90-100% of current called it a "serious emissions; and in 15 years, the cap would be 70-90% of challenge," he said current levels. Further out, the corporate and environ- new technologies mental CEOs urged Congress to pass legislation to cut were the solution and emissions to 60-80% of current levels by 2050. did not mention caps. The partnership also wants legislation to include Several members of greater incentives to encourage energy efficiency tech- the House and Senate nologies that limit or control C0 2 emissions. But the who support climatepartnership's proposed incentives would primarily fochange efforts also support the CEOs' agreement, cus on coal-fired power plants and projects to capture including Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), head of the C0 2 and sequester it underground. Environment & Public Works Committee, and House At a news conference announcing the agreement, part- Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). nership speakers said that the economy would survive The CEOs declined to assess different pieces of the C0 2 cuts and that their program would actually create recently introduced climate-change legislation. The business opportunities. They voiced support for a market agreement is a "game changer," said Fred Krupp, presiapproach through tradable allowances, but they noted dent of Environmental Defense. "It is time for both that the caps may hit some sectors harder than others and parties to come together and pass legislation now."— that additional cost controls maybe needed in the future. JEFF JOHNSON
CORPORATE LEADERS URGE CQ2 CUTS
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At a news conference in Washington, D.C., representatives of corporations and environmental groupsjoined to urge the President to support mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases.
FILM Hundreds turn out to preview Percy Julian documentary More than 500 people, including lawmakers, educators, and industry executives, gathered in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, for a private preview screening of the film biography "Forgotten Genius," about the life and career of pioneering African American chemist Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975). The film, produced by the WGBH television program NOVA and supported in part by the American Chemical Society (C&EN, Oct. 2,2006, page 52),
describes Julian's struggle with racism and his breakthrough research on drugs to treat glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis. "I thought it was a wonderful film," says James A. Donaldson, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Howard University, who attended the screening. "Although they were only excerpts from the film, what I saw was certainly sufficient for me to recommend the full two-hour film to others without reservation." The documentary film will air
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nationally on Feb. 6, at 8:00 PM on PBS. Following the 30-minute screening, a panel—which included producers Stephen Lyons and Llewellyn Smith; James P. Shoff ner, who spearheaded ACS's support of the project; and Julian's longtime friend Bernhard Witkop—fielded questions from the audience. Also, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson CDTexas) spoke about a commemorative resolution that she introduced to honor Julian's life and accomplishments. The bill is under consideration in both the House and Senate.-LINDA WANG
