Under Pressure, a Change of Heart By US Chamber?

In a letter sent to senators currently working on climate change legislation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has promised the organization's “continued support for strong federal climate change legislation.”

The letter expressed approval of most of the principles outlined by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Lindsey Graham (R-NC) in a recent New York Times op-ed, which called for bipartisan climate change legislation that would include market-based solutions to cut greenhouse gases. Those include incentives for nuclear power, offshore oil drilling, and technology the utility industry says enables it to use coal with lower environmental risks -- providing “new financial incentives for companies that develop carbon capture and sequestration technology,” according to the op-ed.

The Chamber’s letter encouraged consideration of a "different approach" to break the stalemate that has kept strong climate legislation from passing, and it indicates the organization is open to a federal cap on emissions as a possible solution.

Even though the Chamber opposed the House's cap-and-trade climate bill, protested EPA plans to regulate greenhouse gases, and saw several high-profile members quit over its obstructionism on climate change, Chamber officials insist that their letter does not represent a change in the organization's position.

Nevertheless, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) called the letter another potential “game-changer.”

-- Suzanne Bopp