US moves towards climate change controls

Last Updated: 2:17am GMT 02/11/2007

The United States has taken the first step to imposing mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases to combat climate change.

The global warming sub-committee of the Senate proposed legislation that would aim to cut America's output of greenhouse gases by 15 per cent by 2020.

The European Union aims to cut 20 per cent in the same time.

Under the bill's plans, polluters in the US who exceed the limits would be allowed to buy "credits" from companies who emit less than their allowance.

Senator Joe Liberman, who chairs the committee, said the vote was "potentially a landmark event, the moment at which the United States finally began a serious fight against the threat of unchecked global warming."

The proposed bill is expected to pass through the legislative process, enjoying support from Republicans and Democrats at a time when climate change is becoming an increasing concern across America.

However, it remains unclear how the president would react to such a bill. While recently acknowledging climate change as a concern, the Bush administration still maintains that the American economy should not be affected by measures to combat its threat.

"The most likely scenario is that the president would veto the bill given his record but given the rapid shift in public opinion on this issue, I think there is a glimmer of hope," said Angela Anderson, of the National Environmental Trust.

Philip Clapp, the group's president, added: "This vote was a clear sign that [George W Bush's] 'just say no' policy on global warming has reached the end of its useful political life."

www.telegraph.co.uk

Global Warming Bill Advances in Senate

19 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers took the first step Thursday on a bipartisan global warming bill that would impose mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases from power plants, industrial facilities and transportation.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., pushed the legislation out of his global warming subcommittee by a 4-3 vote, agreeing to a number of changes aimed primarily at garnering the needed majority to advance it.

The bill calls for setting limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are emitted from power plants, refineries, factories and motor fuels. Polluters could exceed the limits by buying credits from companies whose emissions are under their allowable ceiling.

Lieberman called the vote "potentially a landmark event, the moment at which the United States finally began a serious fight against the threat of unchecked global warming."

Approval of the bipartisan legislation, whose co-sponsor is Sen. John Warner, R-Va., had been expected, but not without some early horse-trading for votes.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who favors more aggressive cuts in greenhouse gases, agreed to support the bill after additional emission reductions from natural gas use were included. Earlier, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was persuaded to support the measure when changes were made in the bill to help farmers.

Voting against the bill were Sens. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Bernard Sanders, I-Vt.

The full Senate Environment and Public Works Committee plans to take up the bill in coming weeks, when its chairman, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is expected to seek greater greenhouse gas cuts.

Some Republicans complain the emission requirements may already be too stringent, especially in earlier years when carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, would have to be cut by at least 15 percent by 2020.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, said earlier this week the bill will have trouble getting the 60 votes need to overcome an expected filibuster on the Senate floor unless there is an easing of the early-year requirements.

Many environmental groups support the legislation, but some environmentalists argue that it gives too much of a break to coal-burning power plants, a major source of carbon dioxide.