During the week of November 12, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held two more legislative hearings on S. 2191, "America's Climate Security Act," sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA). Despite complaints from committee members that she is moving too quickly, EPW Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer has scheduled a full committee markup on the bill for December 5.
The tone at all three hearings was similar with the more liberal Democratic Senators, like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), stressing the urgency to take more aggressive action and the more conservative Republicans, like Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Kit Bond (R-MO), pointing out the harm the bill could have on the U.S. economy. Sens. Lieberman and Warner have tired to moderate the differences between the more partisan Members of the committee.
The Subcommittee-approved Lieberman-Warner bill would establish a federal program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 63% by 2050. Under the program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would allocate emissions allowances to electric power, transportation and manufacturing sources that, taken together, account for 75% of those emissions. The "cap" on emissions would be set at 2005 emissions levels for 2012 and ratchet down over time, to 19% of 2005 levels by 2020 and 63% of 2005 levels by 2050.
Even if the bill passes out of committee next month, it is not likely to advance on the Senate floor next year, given an expected filibuster by Sen. Inhofe and President Bush's opposition to mandatory emissions controls.
House Action "On-Hold"
Although earlier this year House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA) stated they would begin work on a comprehensive climate change bill in the fall, they have reversed coarse and now say they will not move forward on climate issues until a final "energy independence" bill is completed. Therefore, no House climate change action will take place prior to adjournment.