Sen. Boxer Announces STRONGER Climate Bill Being Formed in Senate

E&E News (6/11) reports, “The House bill, H.R. 2454, would create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 17 percent by 2020, 42 percent by 2030, and 83 percent by 2050. Asked whether her plan would mirror the Waxman bill’s emissions targets, Boxer said it may differ when it comes to short-term reductions. “You might see a little bit of a stronger bill coming out of our committee, but I don’t know, we have not made a decision,” she said. Waxman and Markey had originally sought a 20 percent reduction by 2020 but reduced the level during negotiations with moderate Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Looking forward, Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) said he would give global warming legislation “50-50 or better odds” of passing the Senate this year. Asked if 60 votes was possible, Udall replied, “I do, I think it’s probably a tight 60 votes, but I think it’s possible.”

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