Democrats to Propose Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill

Articles — By forcechange on March 31, 2009 8:33 am

House Democrats will propose a new bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Tuesday.  The legislation, co-sponsored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the panel’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee, aims to cut emissions by 20% from 2005 levels by 2020 and to increase energy efficiency in order to reduce electricity demand by 15% by 2020.  The bill targets an overall 80% reduction in emissions by 2050. 

Although Democrats have a majority, any emissions bill is expected to face a tough road given the current economic situation and political opposition.  Even Sen. McCain, who was an early supporter of cap-and-trade recently described current proposals derisively as “cap-and-tax“.  Additionally, Congresspeople from large coal producing states will likely oppose any emissions legislation across party-lines.  Whether the U.S. can put together a meaningful greenhouse gas bill this year will be key to the success or failure of the international climate change conference to be held in Copenhagen in December of this year.