Clean Air: Senate Focus Turns To Lieberman-Warner Greenhouse-Gas Bill
Debate soon will intensify in the Senate on a bill that would cut industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 70% below 2005 levels by 2050. The proposal, introduced on Oct. 18 by global warming subcommittee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.)and John Warner (R-Va.), seeks to cut greenhouse gases from the power, transportation-fuel and industrial sectors through annual, incrementally tighter emission caps. Starting in 2012, these sectors would have to hold their greenhouse emissions to 2005 levels.
Lieberman’s subcommittee has slated a hearing on the measure for Oct. 24 and he says the panel could vote on it the following week. But the legislation’s path is likely to be bumpy.