Senate Panel Approves Climate Bill, Despite Boycott
Posted on: Thursday, 5 November 2009, 12:15 CST
The US Senate Environmental Public Works Committee voted Thursday to approve a Democratic climate change bill that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.
Although Republican committee members boycotted Thursday’s meeting, the panel reached an 11-1 voted to pass the bill.
Senator Max Baucus, of Montana, was the only panel member to vote against the climate bill, which was put forth by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Senator Barbara Boxer of California.
"The committee and Senate rules that have been in place during Republican and Democratic majorities are there to be used when the majority feels it is in the best interest of their states and of the nation to act," said Senator Boxer.
"A majority of the committee believes that S. 1733, and the efforts that will be built upon it, will move us away from foreign oil imports that cost Americans one billion dollars a day, it will protect our children from pollution, create millions of clean-energy jobs, and stimulate billions of dollars of private investment."
The committee operates under a rule stating that at least two Republicans must be present to vote on the bill.
Boxer said she gave Republican panel members until Thursday to gain further information from the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to Reuters, Boxer opened up Thursday’s meeting by reading from a letter written by John Rowe, Chief Executive of Exelon, a large utility provider to the US.
"We urge you as chairman, as well as your colleagues, to take the steps necessary to order the bill reported by the committee so that climate legislation can be considered by the full Senate," Rowe wrote.
"We are pleased that despite the Republican boycott, we have been able to move the bill," said Boxer.
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Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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