House Dems are taking climate change seriously. The bill unveiled today would not only cap green house gases, but diminish our dependence on coal and oil (
available). From the New York Times:
The draft measure, written by Representatives Henry A. Waxman of California and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, sets a slightly more ambitious goal for capping heat-trapping gases than Mr. Obama’s proposal. The bill requires that emissions be reduced 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, while Mr. Obama’s plan calls for a 14 percent reduction by 2020. Both would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases by roughly 80 percent by 2050.
Joe's got an interesting analysis:
Some version of this bill seems likely to get through the House. But it does not appear likely it could get 60 votes in the Senate. The two big unknown questions are:
Is Obama going to try to change the political equation by using his persuasive skills and that of his cabinet to make a strong pitch for climate action (see “Obama can get a better climate bill in 2010“)?
Will some of the moderate Democratic Senators who might feel they can’t vote for the bill also vote to filibuster it?
Read the details over at Climate Progress...
