AEP's Braine Explains Company's Position on Global Warming Legislation

American Electric Power vice president Bruce Braine spoke on global warming legislation today at the Thirteenth Annual Energy & Environment Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. Braine said AEP remains supportive of the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last year. Braine acknowledged, however, that its prospects are dim in the Senate.

“It is an open question whether climate change legislation will be heavily pursued this year,” said Braine.

While AEP supports Waxman-Markey, it is not as enthusiastic about EPA stepping in and regulating carbon dioxide emissions.

“Climate legislation is the way to go, not climate regulation,” Braine emphasized.

Braine pointed out that Waxman-Markey would require a 17 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020, while the Kerry-Boxer bill in the Senate would require a 20 percent cut by 2020.

During Q&A I asked him whether AEP would similarly support the Kerry-Boxer 20 percent cut.

“Seventeen percent is about as high as we can go, in terms of supporting emissions cuts, and we’ve made that pretty clear” Braine told me.

I asked him whether AEP would support U.S. carbon dioxide restrictions if China and India don’t similarly cut their emissions.

“Absolutely not,” answered Braine. “China and India would have to agree to similar cuts or be subject to border adjustment measures [carbon mitigation fees on goods and services they produce].”