Senate Committee Takes Up Energy Bills
03/31/2009
SustainableBusiness.com News
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committe begins marking up major energy and climate change legislation today--though controversial items in the legislation will not be addressed until after the two-week Congressional recess, according to the New York Times.
The Committee will begin by taking up four energy bills supported by Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). These bills include support for Department of Energy research and development and a bill to improve the manufacturing sector's efficiency and competitiveness.
Broader sweeping climate change legislation is sure to meet with stiff opposition from Republicans and moderate Democrats. It unclear how soon a bill may be brought to the Senate floor.
The Obama administration and Democratic Congressional leaders have so far rejected the idea of presenting the legislation as budget items. Doing so would allow passage in the Senate with a 51 vote majority, instead of the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster standard legislation. However, such measure would reduce the legitimacy of the legislation and undermine efforts at building bipartisan consensus on future issues.
Follow the link below to read extended coverage of the upcoming legislative battle to be fought over energy and climate change.
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/03/30/30greenwire-senate-committee-markup-begins-but-heavy-lifti-10337.html