SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The global recession is changing everything, including the president-elect’s plans to address global warming.
Energy expert Severin Borenstein says America is at a crucial turning point in combating the harmful effects of fossil fuel use. But hopeful green advocates that sought to see legislative changes within the first few months of the new president’s term may have to wait a bit longer as he focuses on the nation’s economic crisis.
“There’s no question: we have to start moving on addressing climate change and that’s going to effect everything that we do in using energy, from gasoline to electricity in every aspect of our lives,” said Borenstein.
KCBS’ Jane McMillan reports
Borenstein, director of the University of California Energy Institute, says it may take a year or so until some of Obama’s green policies are enacted, but those changes coming will not be small and will likely have a large impact on the world economy.
“…Moving towards a tradable permit system that raises the cost of carbon and greenhouse gas intensive products, and when that happens it’s going to raise the price and raise the price of electricity a bit.”
Those price hikes will have to wait as Obama tackles his number one project: a massive stimulus package.
You can hear more from Severin Borenstein on In Depth, a weekly program aired Sundays on KCBS at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
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