NO ENERGY/CLIMATE BILL THIS YEAR?

Obama Energy Advisor: Climate Bill Unlikely in 2009
3 October 2009 (Voice of America w/AP)

"U.S. President Barack Obama's top energy advisor says the U.S. Congress is not likely to pass a bill targeting climate change this year.

"Carol Browner…said the lack of a new U.S. policy will not hurt the country's ability to negotiate an international climate treaty."




"A final round of negotiations on a new global treaty are scheduled for December in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Senate Democrats unveiled a plan…to cut U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. The House of Representatives passed a bill in June calling for a 17 percent cut."

The House bill is in the middle box on the right, wating. The Senate bill is about to go to the upper right corner and then down the right side. Almost into the white - but will it make it? (click to enlarge)

"If the Senate passes a climate change bill, the two measures would need to be negotiated into one final bill and signed by Mr. Obama.

"In addition to climate change, U.S. lawmakers are also dealing with major health-care and financial reforms."