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Pelosi Backs Off of Statement on Climate Change

On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her determination to pass legislation addressing climate change this year. But, now she's not so sure. She has raised the possibility that the final version of climate legislation would not be ready a year from now. Instead of celebrating a new law by Earth Day next year, Pelosi says it is her commitment that by the 40th Earth Day next year, that substantial progress will have been made toward energy independence, reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels and reversing the climate crisis.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has started working on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Outside of the committee hearing room intense lobbying has begun over the bill that would place a national cap on carbon-based emissions.

Many Senators, including about a dozen Democrats, have reservations about a bill that would set an overall limit on greenhouse gases and then allow emitters to buy and sell the pollution allowances allocated by the federal government. Early indications are the House will not take up a cap-and-trade measure until the summer or early fall.