Democrats will not move forward with climate change bill this summer. Instead, the Democrats will push a bill to respond to BP's Gulf oil gusher and some "tightening of energy efficiency standards." Sen. Kerry characterized their new goal as "admittedly narrow." At a news conference today, Sen. Reid "blamed Republicans for refusing to cooperate,"stating that "We don't have a single Republican to work with us."
So, next week Sen. Reid will bring this limited oil gusher/energy measure to the floor, and delay until at least next fall a measure to impose caps on GHG, and this may be limited to power plants.
Sen. Reid stated in remarks this afternoon after caucus that the Democrats will introduce the following bill that focuses on 4 measures:
"One, we will hold BP accountable. We will ensure it pays to clean up its mess, and we will put forth measures to prevent a disaster like this from ever happening again. Two, we will create clean-energy jobs across America. Home Star is a bipartisan energy efficiency program that will not only lower consumers’ energy costs, but create American jobs that can never be outsourced. Three, we will lessen our dependence on oil.
"And fourth, our country is blessed with abundant resources and we must tap into those. That is why we will invest in the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles. We will protect our environment by investing in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Doing so now will help ensure our land and water is protected long into the future – even from the effects of climate change.
The new BP/energy bill may include the following, but not even a renewable energy standard:
An oil spill response title based on the bill passed by the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee and the bill lifting the liability cap for economic damages in the event of a spill passed by the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, both passed out of committee last month.
A title on energy efficiency that will be based on the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which gives homeowners incentives to make their homes more efficient.
Sen. Boxer agrees with Sen. Reid's approach:
"We don't have the 60 votes," said Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). "So Sen. Reid's a pragmatist. So rather than take us to a situation where we don't have the votes, rather than do half measures, let's wait until we can get it done and get it right. So I think it's a smart decision."
Senator Kerry also pointed to what bloggers must do now:
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) — who has helped lead the effort to reach a deal on focusing a carbon-pricing plan on electric utilities — acknowledged Thursday that "the chances of this bill are very tough right now." He cited "fear" from those who have not signed on to a carbon-pricing measure because of possible rebuke from voters.