GRAND FORKS -- It takes a long time for little tug boats to turn an ocean liner around. It takes even longer to make changes in how a country as large and complex as ours makes and uses energy.
We all know that clean coal and domestic oil (like the production coming from the Bakken formation in western North Dakota) will remain a significant part of our lives for years to come. But the time to begin turning the liner around is now.
A bill to move us in the right direction has just been introduced by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. It was drafted with collaboration from both environmental and industry groups and with significant input from Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Though the details need to be hammered out and compromises still have to be made, the Senate should pass the Kerry-Lieberman bill this year to advance a realistic clean energy future, assure America's leadership in an expanding world alternative energy market and take steps to mitigate the worst anticipated impacts of climate change without doing harm to our economy.
North Dakota is well-positioned to turn its wind, solar, biomass and geothermal resources into permanent full-time jobs and attractive profits. It's always a pleasure when doing the right thing and one's economic benefit are in alignment.
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The bill, which Lieberman said was a market-driven attempt to reduce carbon pollution and lessen America's dependence on foreign oil, has support from some industries, some environmental groups and, behind the scenes, some Republicans.
The bill sets a goal of reducing carbon pollution by 17 percent by 2020. Only the largest polluters -- 2 percent of America's factories and plants account for 75 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions -- will have to comply with reduction targets.
It also provides consumer rebates and energy discounts to offset any increase in the price of energy and appropriates $2 billion for the further development of clean coal technology (a specialty of the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks).
Limits on both EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gases and state cap-and-trade programs also are included.
In the months ahead, there will be vigorous debate on the Kerry-Lieberman bill. There will be exaggerated hopes and exaggerated fears from both the left and the right.
But despite some evidence to the contrary, I still believe the dominant force in America life is the rational middle. In the coming debate, let's keep our eye on the ball: decreased dependence on unreliable foreign energy, market share in an expanding market, increased domestic jobs that can't be exported and mitigation of real impacts of climate change.
Glassheim, a Democrat, represents Ward 3 on the Grand Forks City Council and District 18 in the North Dakota House.
