DC Hill Update 3/9/10: Climate bill edited behind the scenes, Clean Air Act attacks persist

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Last week Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC), and Lieberman (I-CT) indicated they are working to introduce a comprehensive climate and energy bill as soon as possible. The trio generated much buzz after they gave a general description of the new approach to emissions reductions that will be included in their bill. While many key senators seemed open to the new proposal, others -- joined by members of the House -- launched new attacks on the Clean Air Act, gaining praise from Senator Murkowski (R-AK).

At the same time, phones in Senate offices were ringing off the hooks as climate advocates from across the country made 300,000 phone calls during the "72 Hours for Clean American Power" call-in campaign. This week is expected to be another busy one on Capitol Hill. Financial regulatory reform and a second jobs bill are expected in the Senate, and the House will begin work on a final push for health care reform.

1. Senate Climate Bill Push Heats Up

Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) were originally expected to introduce a bill last week. A bill was not released, but all three senators pledge that one is still on the way. Last Tuesday, Lieberman said [2]: “Hopefully within a week or so we will have at least a detailed narrative to share.”

According to a report by Reuters last week [3], "Kerry told reporters he hoped a compromise climate control bill could be put together this month, although many meetings still must be held. Graham told reporters it will be "weeks" before a bill is ready."

The trio revealed this week that the bill will likely use a 'sector-by sector' approach [4] to cap carbon whereby electric utilities will be required to reduce their carbon emissions first, followed by the transportation fuels and manufacturing sectors. The three senators held meetings with many key senators this week [5] and some moderates from both sides of the aisle expressed interest in the new plan.

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) said she is "generally happy" with the direction the climate bill is heading [6]. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and even Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have also expressed interest in the forthcoming bill [7].

Murkowski said last Wednesday that her support may be contingent on opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [8] (ANWR) to oil drilling. Lieberman quickly asserted that drilling in ANWR would not be a part of the comprehensive bill [9].

Last week, 13 senators signed onto a letter initiated by Senator Robert Menendez [10] (D-NJ) urging their colleagues to ensure that the Clean Air Act performance standards for coal plants remain intact in climate and energy legislation considered by the Senate. 1Sky worked hard with allies at Environment America, Sierra Club, and beyond to urge the following senators to join as they did and sign on to the Menendez letter: Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Al Franken (D-NJ), and Senator Jeff (D-MN). 1Sky is encouraged to see these senators voice their support for defending the Clean Air Act, and holding big polluters accountable. Their support will be crucial for ensuring that the oldest dirtiest power plants are required to reduce their carbon emissions once national climate legislation is in place.

Last week, as part of the "72 Hours for Clean American Power" call-in campaign, 1Sky supporters joined climate advocates nationwide in making more than 300,000 phone calls to the Hill, urging senators to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year.

2. Clean Air Act Attacks Persist

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) can introduce her "Dirty Air Act" resolution at any time up until late May or early June. While her spokesperson has previously suggested the measure would be introduced in "mid-March," he said last week that, "politically, she can call it up whenever it's most convenient for her, not anybody else." Murkowski currently has only 41 co-sponsors [11] (subs req'd), 10 votes shy of the 51 needed for passage.

Last week, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a new bill that threatens the Clean Air Act [12] by putting a two-year block on greenhouse gas regulations. He is now the fourth Senate Democrat to support such an attack on the Clean Air Act. Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), and Rick Boucher (D-VA) introduced an identical measure in the House. 1Sky strongly opposes these measures and all efforts to undermine the Clean Air Act.

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) announced publicly that -- unlike the rest of the West Virginia delegation -- he will not support Rockefeller's attack on the Clean Air Act [13].

Yesterday, Murkowski sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson [14] requesting further information about how she plans to control carbon pollution via the Clean Air Act (subs. req'd).

Last week, as part of the "72 Hours for Clean American Power" call-in campaign for a climate bill, 1Sky supporters demanded that senators to oppose all efforts to undermine the Clean Air Act.

3. Senate Jobs Bill #2 and Financial Reform on the Way

Last Thursday, the House passed a slightly modified version of the Senate's initial $15B jobs bill [15]. It includes tax credits aimed at encouraging employers to hire new workers, but does not contain any major climate-friendly provisions. It now goes back to the Senate for another vote before being signed into law by President Obama.

The Senate is now considering a second jobs bill on the scale of $150 billion. A vote on cloture is scheduled for this afternoon. Drafts of the new bill include [16] unemployment and COBRA extensions, tax credits for dirty energy, and minor tax credits for energy efficient housing and appliances.

In Georgia last week, Obama introduced the $6 billion "Home Star" plan [17] which would provide consumer rebates for home energy efficiency projects like installing new insulation, water heaters, and windows. The proposal is expected to be included in one of the Senate jobs bills [18], although was not included in $150 billion bill introduced by Reid last week (subs. requ'd).

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) said he wants to introduce "Home Star" in the Senate [19] and will hold a hearing specifically on the proposed program next week.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) expects to release a bipartisan proposal for financial regulatory reform next week [20], adding yet another priority to the Senate schedule ahead of a climate bill.

4. Health Care Grand Finale May Pave the Way for a Climate Bill

The White House made clear last Thursday that it hopes to see Congress bring health care to a final vote this spring. The administration is asking that the House pass the Senate bill by March 18 [21], and that both chambers pass fixes before Easter so that a health care bill can be sent to Obama's desk. This means the administration has endorsed use of the reconciliation process to pass health care reform through the Senate with a simple majority.

Senators Graham and Lieberman have some concerns about the impact that the continued health care fight may have on a push for comprehensive climate and energy legislation, but Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) maintains that health care reform is a separate issue that will not have a large impact on the climate debate [22] (subs. requ'd).

Prepared by Jason Kowalski and Julie Erickson from 1Sky’s policy team. Please direct questions or comments to jason@1sky.org [23].