Reuter’s Richard Cowan has an interesting piece for those interested in the nuances of the climate change legislative maneuvering taking place on Capitol Hill. In Cowan’s estimation, the bill has an “uphill climb” in the Senate before it has a chance to become law. In his piece, which you can read by clicking here, Cowan describes potential scenario’s for what could happen to the legislation.According to the article, Senator Barbara Boxer, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, wants to “tweak” the bill that emerged from the House. The key will be what, exactly, is changed. Key issues will be whether or not the Senator has plans to change the carbon reduction goal of the bill, and whether or not “pollution permits” utilities and manufacturers must obtain will be sold or given away for free (in the House bill 85% the permits are free). Senator Boxer plans to introduce her own legislation in September.
Cowan reports that moderates might want to see the carbon reduction goal lowered, while Senator McCain, who wants nuclear power plant facilities included in the carbon cap and trade program, and other prominent senators will also have their say. Some senators might push for legislation that focus only on renewable energy and not the climate cap and trade system. Look for Senator Byrd and other coal-state senators to push for "breaks" for the coal industry.
If the bill does not pass the Obama administration still has other options when it comes to climate change. Cowan writes that following the Copenhagen meeting, where countries from around the world will discuss a combined, global effort to combat climate change, the administration could use the Environmental Protection Agency’s exiting authority to issue new regulations aimed at lowering carbon emissions. Whatever happens, with the August recess looming for the Senate the climate change battle will have to wait until September.
Posted: 08/04/09
