House Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Major Climate Bill

Late last Thursday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee voted 33-25 to pass the American Clean Energy & Security Act, which includes a cap-and-trade system and a nation-wide renewable electricity standard. Four Democrats, Representatives Barrow, Mathenson, Melancon and Ross voted against the bill, while Rep. Mary Bono Mack of California, a Republican, voted for it. "While I still have significant concerns about this bill ... I believe this is the right direction for our district, for our nation and for our future," Bono Mack said in a statement.

During the weeklong markup, the committee voted down dozens of amendments that would have weakened the bill or even scrapped the cap-and-trade program if it prompted job losses or energy price increases. Among the failed measures was a request by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to expand the definition of renewable biomass, Rep. Lee Terry's (R-NE) amendment requiring the cessation of the bill if gas prices topped $5 a gallon, and an amendment from Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) to define nuclear energy as renewable. "Most of these amendments are just political," noted Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) during markup.

The few amendments that passed included creating a federal "clean energy" bank and establishing a "cash for clunkers" plan that gives consumers vouchers toward replacing inefficient vehicles.

This was the first time a House committee has ever endorsed a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources. Now the bill will move to a number of other House committees before reaching the House floor.  Read more at E&E (sub'd req.)

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