CLIMATE/ENERGY BILL COMING FAST

U.S. House puts climate bill on quick pace for passage
Richard Cowan (w/Philip Barbara), June 4, 2009 (Reuters)

"Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives have put major environmental legislation on a fast-track, boosting chances a climate change bill will pass this month or next, leading lawmakers said…

"On May 21, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill requiring reductions of industrial emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases of 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels…The climate change bill, along with healthcare reform, are top priorities of President Barack Obama, and House Democrats hope to approve both initiatives before an August recess."

The Speaker gave Chairman Rangel a deadline. That means she intends to bring the bill home. (click to enlarge)

"The legislation would mark a major change in U.S. policy from the previous administration of President George W. Bush and a victory for activists…But it is a delicate balancing act for Obama, who must weigh the environmental benefits against the expected costs new legislation would bring to both consumers and businesses in an economy still trying to fight its way out of recession.

"Pushing ahead…House leaders are placing strict deadlines for other panels to review the controversial legislation in the hope of passing it quickly in the full House…House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel told reporters he has been given a June 19 deadline…[to] determine what changes [his committee] wants to make involving tax- and trade-related components…"

Those who complain about the bill's cost forget who paid under the last administration. (click to enlarge)

"…House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson told reporters Democratic leaders want to address farm-state lawmakers' concerns over a related Environmental Protection Agency proposal on ethanol and other biofuels…the House Science and Technology Committee…[debated] creating a federal climate control agency to…provide forecasts and warnings to the public about changes in weather and climate…

"Representative Rick Boucher, who helped craft the climate bill moving through the House with provisions to protect the coal industry…told Reuters that the Senate was also "rapidly getting itself ready" to handle the complex legislation. Senate Democratic leaders have said they would try to pass a bill this year…"