HOUSE ENERGY BILL FIGHT, DAY 1

US lawmakers open tough climate bill debate
May 18, 2009 (AFP)

"US lawmakers…[began] formal debate on legislation creating a "cap and trade" system for curbing pollution blamed for global warming amid stiff Republican opposition…President Barack Obama's Democratic allies, who control the Senate and House of Representatives, have said they want to have a bill ready to lend momentum to December global climate change talks in Copenhagen.

"The House Energy and Commerce Committee opened what could be a tough week of debate on the Democratic proposal, with Republicans expected to offer as many as 450 amendments that could throw a wrench in the legislative gears…"

From LCV2008 via YouTube.

"Waxman has said he wants the committee to vote on the 948-page bill by the end of the week, when the US Congress begins a week-long recess anchored on Monday's Memorial Day holiday.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex) says Energy and Commerce Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif) does not have the votes to get the energy and climate bill passed. From NothingButTheNews via YouTube.

"The American Clean Energy and Security Act aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, while creating "green" jobs…[by creating] a "cap-and-trade" system limiting overall pollution from large industrial sources and then allocating and selling pollution permits."

"But Republicans have charged that the effect will be to increase energy costs for consumers already struggling with a paralyzing recession, and say that they will offer an alternative that does not include a "cap and trade" mechanism…

"The Democratic bill would require utilities, by 2020, to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources -- solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass -- and show annual energy savings of five percent from efficiency measures…The European Union plan calls for getting 20 percent of all electricity from renewable resources by 2020."