Senator Barbara Boxer Promises Climate Bill in 2009
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) promised last week to introduce cap-and-trade legislation in as little as a few weeks, and "definitely before the end of the year." Boxer, the Chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, made the claim at a press conference where she introduced a one-page document with the following broad principles for climate change legislation [PDF]:
- A commitment to reducing emissions to levels guided by science to avoid global warming;
- Setting enforceable short- and long-term emissions targets;
- Establishing a carbon market;
- Investing in clean technology;
- Supporting efforts by local and state governments to deal with climate change; and
- Supporting developing nations.
Boxer had introduced carbon-capping legislation last year that made it to the floor but died after procedural movements by opponents. Boxer has vowed to draft a "streamlined" climate bill after last year's was criticized as too complex. "I want to get a bill out there that every member has a stake in, every member understands every word of it" said Boxer. Read more at Reuters
