Congress Returns, Will the Senate Act on Energy?

Reader Contribution by Ramsey Cox

Congress has returned from summer vacation with much of the news coverage focusing on health care reform, but does anyone remember the clean energy and climate bill?

Shortly before the summer recess the Waxman-Markey bill, the largest and most progressive energy bill, passed the House of Representatives. The Senate has not passed, or even completed drafting its own version.

Politico reported that Senators are fighting about which committee will draft the legislation. Chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California believes her committee should have control over the legislation, while Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and Finance Committee Chairman believes his committee should draft the legislation. A quick turnaround of a Senate climate bill after the month-long recess is looking less and less likely.

Meanwhile the environmental advocacy group, Repower America has sent out action-response letters telling their members to send this letter to their Senators urging the them to support a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill within the year. Compromise and cooperation must ensue for the clean energy and climate bill to pass both chambers.

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