Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP), a coalition of major U.S. businesses, issued the following statement on today's release of a discussion draft of the U.S. Senate's energy and climate bill:

BICEP companies applaud Senators Kerry and Lieberman -- along with Senator Graham who contributed so much to shaping this bill -- for moving the Senate so far toward vital climate and energy legislation. It's a significant step forward and contains several key elements in BICEP's core principles, including major limits on greenhouse gas emissions and crucial initiatives to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency. We are heartened by this progress and understand how much hard work it's taken to get here.

At the same time we wish to remind all Senators of the unmistakable urgency of this moment. America can no longer wait to solve these problems, which seriously threaten our economy, our security and our environment. Now is the time, with a large and growing bipartisan coalition from the business, national security, faith and environmental communities in place, to pass a strong bill that creates many thousands of clean energy jobs, puts our country on the path to energy independence and places a meaningful ceiling on carbon pollution. Doing what's best is a three-way win for America.

Democrats, Republicans and Independents must remember that they can bargain with each other over this bill's provisions, but not with the harsh realities facing our country if we fail to meet these challenges. The balance of this bill must end up strongly on the side of jobs and energy independence, with meaningful pollution limits plus major support for new energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. We need to place America firmly on a more sustainable path for our businesses, workers, consumers and environment.

BICEP companies stand ready to work with the Senate and Administration on a bill that achieves that path.

BICEP members include Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Starbucks, Timberland, Aspen Skiing Company, Best Buy, Ben & Jerry's, Clif Bar & Company, eBay, Eileen Fisher, Gap Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle, The North Face, Seventh Generation, Stonyfield Farm, Symantec and Target Corporation.

Ceres

Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out.

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