Cap and Trade done until the spring 2010

reid-grimHarry Reid toda, who might be in his last few months in the senate by Spring of 2010 as he is trailing badly in the polls to both Republican challengers has decided to “put” off debate on the joke that is Cap and Trade until the spring time. This is yet another sign of the weakening political support for this joke of a bill. Barbara Boxer, and John Kerry can cry themselves to sleep tonight for all I care. will to tackle a long-term environmental issue at a time of high unemployment and economic uncertainty. Though, this would appear to signal that the bill is likely toast, don’t be so sure says the Wall Street Journal:

The delay was “just a matter of reality, they can’t get anything done at this time,” said Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), who has previously supported climate legislation. He has said he wouldn’t support the current Senate proposal because of disagreements over its handling of nuclear energy.

The climate-bill delay sidetracks one of President Barack Obama’s top domestic priorities. Mr. Obama has said action to curb greenhouse gases would unleash investment in clean-energy technology and create jobs.

White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said Tuesday Mr. Obama was working with lawmakers to move the legislation as quickly as possible.

“This is an economic opportunity for the nation that will create millions of clean energy jobs while reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and it’s an opportunity that other countries like China and India are racing to take advantage of,” Mr. LaBolt said in an email.

Momentum for a climate bill has been undermined by fears that capping carbon-dioxide emissions — the inevitable product of burning oil and coal — would slow economic growth, raise energy costs and compel changes in the way Americans live.

“It’s really big, really, really hard, and is going to make a lot of people mad,” said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.).

Democrats looking ahead to the 2010 midterm elections are concerned about a backlash from voters in industrial and heartland states dependent on coal. Republicans are portraying Democrats’ “cap and trade” proposals, which call for capping overall U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions and allowing companies to buy and trade permits to emit those gases, as a “cap and tax” scheme.

No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this post)

November 18, 2009 · Filed Under Cap and Trade


Comments