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US lawmakers open tough climate bill debate
Washington (AFP) May 18, 2009 US lawmakers on Monday kicked off formal debate on legislation creating a "cap and trade" system for curbing pollution blamed for global warming amid stiff Republican opposition. US President Barack Obama's Democratic allies, who control the Senate and House of Representatives, have said they want to have a bill ready to lend momentum to December global climate change talks in Copenhagen. The House Energy and Commerce Committee opened what could be a tough week of debate on the Democratic proposal, with Republicans expected to offer as many as 450 amendments that could throw a wrench in the legislative gears. "Members ought to be prepared to work late every single night this week," warned Democratic Representative Henry Waxman, the panel's chairman and a lead author of the plan with his fellow Democrat, Representative Ed Markey. Waxman has said he wants the committee to vote on the 948-page bill by the end of the week, when the US Congress begins a week-long recess anchored on Monday's Memorial Day holiday. "The American Clean Energy and Security Act" aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, while creating "green" jobs. It would creates a "cap-and-trade" system limiting overall pollution from large industrial sources and then allocating and selling pollution permits. But Republicans have charged that the effect will be to increase energy costs for consumers already struggling with a paralyzing recession, and say that they will offer an alternative that does not include a "cap and trade" mechanism. "You're going to put a significant cost on the American economy," said the top Republican on the panel, Representative Joe Barton. The Democratic bill would require utilities, by 2020, to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources -- solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass -- and show annual energy savings of five percent from efficiency measures. The European Union plan calls for getting 20 percent of all electricity from renewable resources by 2020. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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US lawmakers formally unveil climate change billWashington (AFP) May 15, 2009 Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Friday formally unveiled sweeping legislation to fight climate change and said the 932-page bill enjoyed broad national support. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will take up the measure on Monday and have legislation ready for a full House vote by the end of next week, the panel's chairman, Democratic Representative Henry Waxman, said ... read more |
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