Congress May Discuss Some Cap and Trade Issues
Energy provisions will likely have to wait until next year.
Compiled by staff
Published: Nov 19, 2010
Those Senators who earlier supported Cap and Trade realize there is no chance for passage of the program in the next Congress. However, led by Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., some Senators see room for passing smaller energy bills with bipartisan support. Senator Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., who co-authored the climate bill, told POLITICO, "We've got to find separate ways to go at it. Possibilities include energy provisions like support for electric cars; nuclear energy or a clean energy standard, that includes cleaner forms of traditional energy like nuclear and coal."
The other Senators who attended Tuesday's meeting were Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Tom Carper, D-Del., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. More Republicans are heading to Washington next year, so Lieberman says climate bill advocates will soon reach across the aisle to gauge where they can find bipartisan support.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is seen as being a key figure in the climate change renewal effort. She is the ranking member on the energy committee. And Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., is seen as a major player in the talks. Meanwhile Kerry says he doesn't think there's a chance in the lame duck for energy legislation to pass yet this year.
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