Blogentry
Washington View: House passes ‘most important environment or energy legislation in our nation’s history’
Part of:
Climate change
- Climate change
Belongs to subject
- US Senate loses key 'yes' vote for climate change bill in Massachusetts special election
- US climate bill goes to Senate committee – what can the world expect before Copenhagen?
- US House of Representatives passes climate bill in squeaker vote late Friday
- US Energy Secretary says climate bill best bet for US climate leadership – but changes to legislation may come
- US House of Representatives Committee passes ‘most significant climate policy ever introduced' in America
Related articles
Next will come Senate action with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) pledging a floor debate in the Autumn.
The House bill numbers more than 1500 pages and includes a host of policies. But most important, the legislation orders major industrial sources of greenhouse gases to establish cap-and-trade programs that will cut emissions by 17% by 2020. It also orders utilities to supply 15% of their power sales from renewable energy by 2020.
Read Bellona Web Editor Charles Digges' report here.
Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense said "I think this is the most important environment or energy legislation in our nation's history."
The US Chamber of Commerce criticized the legislation. Bill Kovacs, Senior Vice President of Environment, Technology and Regulation said that the Chamber "hoped that, at some point, Congress will find a way to balance the need for a strong US economy while still addressing global climate change. Unfotunately, Congress has fallen short with this bill," he said.
Washington View will continue to analyse this bill and the ramifications of its passage in the days to come.
Jonathan Temple is the director of Bellona USA. He is currently attending The Aspen Institute's Energy and Environment seminar.
Copyright © Bellona -- Reprint and copying is recommended if source is stated
