U.S. Senate Pushes Forward on Climate Issues - June 3, 2010
Key Senate Democrats unveiled a much anticipated version of climate change legislation in mid-May. Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Lieberman (I-CT) were appointed by Senate Leadership early 2010 to author a compromise version that could attract much needed Republican votes for eventual passage by the full Senate. The Administration hopes the Senate will pass climate change legislation before the upcoming November elections. The recent oil spill in the Gulf has complicated progress on moving the bill forward and time is slipping away, but key proponents of climate change legislation are pushing hard for passage of comprehensive climate change legislation.
The bill is complicated. While a full analysis of its provisions by technical experts is ongoing, a quick overview indicates the bill represents some improvement over the Waxman-Markey bill passed by the U.S. House. However, as currently written, the bill would still raise Midwestern electric rates to unacceptable levels. Its authors have made clear the bill could change as the debate continues. One thing is clear: Indiana consumers cannot afford to sit back and hope for the best. Our Congressmen and Senators need to hear from you. They need to know that you are watching. Ask them to keep our electricity rates affordable and power sources reliable.
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