Congress Begins New Debate on Green Energy
Congress is to open debate on a "clean energy" bill this week. Pressure has been steadily mounting from the Obama administration to show the world that Washington is serious about making a difference against global warming. President Barack Obama said earlier this month that the United States is ready to lead on climate change and after a two-week legislative recess during which the administration made moves on global warming, Congress has little time to spare. On Friday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a health risk, a landmark turnaround that could impact climate change regulation.
The move came as Congress examines a draft bill for clean energy development that aims to cut carbon emissions by 20% from their 2005 levels by 2020, and boost reliance on renewable sources of energy. The Obama administration wants the bill completed by the end of the year, with the US president planning to travel to Copenhagen for the United Nations climate change conference in December.
Nancy Pelosi has vowed Congress will seek a "comprehensive solution" to global warming. "I am committed to moving clean energy legislation this year that will include perspectives from across our nation to create jobs, improve our national security and reduce global warming" Pelosi said in a statement.
Former vice president Al Gore, a major climate change campaigner, is set to testify Friday. The president made tackling carbon emissions one of the centerpieces of his campaign, contrasting sharply with the administration of George W. Bush, which repeatedly cast doubts on the existence of global warning.
The US goals also call for a cap-and-trade system to cut carbon emissions in order to force heavy polluters to buy credits from companies that pollute less, creating financial incentives to fight global warming. The quotas have yet to be defined, with some calling for free rights to pollute for the most vulnerable industries, such as steel or glass manufacturing.
The battle looming in Congress promises to be a tough one, with Republicans and some Democrats from coal or oil producing states warn of potentially catastrophic economic impacts from setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. The Democratic majority in the House hopes to secure a vote on the bill before a congressional recess in August, according to a Democratic source.
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