The Obama administration is making a "last-ditch effort" to put together a climate and energy bill that may take on a hybrid shape to appease moderate Democrats and lure Republican support, according to a New York Times report.
White House and Congressional leaders reportedly are considering several basic policy options–none of which include an economy-wide cap-and-trade program.
The first option would set up cap-and-trade only for utility companies, combined with an energy bill.
Another option would be a strong energy bill, including energy efficiency measurs, with no cap-and-trade.
A third option is to do nothing this year, while continuing to push Republicans towards legislation in 2011.
Obama will address a meeting of top CEOs on Wednesday and is
expected to announce a proposal to incentivize coal-burning power
plants to switch to cleaner-burning natural gas.
Meanwhile, in
Congress, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is working to make a deal
to draw Republicans across the aisle with promises of more support for
nuclear power and so-called "clean coal." Graham so far is the only
Republican to give support to climate change efforts being pushed by
Democrat John Kerry and Independent Joe Lieberman.
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Thanks for the article. Why has the Cantwell/Collins CLEAR Act not been mentioned? Is it “not on the table”?
I read a piece on The Hill about a week ago suggesting their cap-and-dividend bill was gaining momentum. But nothing since. Climate Progress argues that their approach will not achieve the emissions reductions the administration promised in Copenhagen, and that they are dividing supporters of climate action: http://climateprogress.org/2010/02/01/misguided-cap-and-divide-bill-by-cantwell-and-collins-is-neither-politically-nor-environmentally-viable/