Climate Bill Passes House Energy and Commerce Committee

[Katy Schneider]

Making good on a promise to have the bill out of the committee by the Memorial Day recess, Chairman Waxman was able to wade through the multitude of amendments to pass the bill yesterday evening. Bypassing subcommittee consideration, HR 2454 was subject to 4 days of debate and mark-ups before finally coming to a vote. Click the link for more information on the contents of the bill as it stands heading to the House floor:

http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&vi...

[Katy Schneider]

Title II, Subtitle C, Section 222 is of particular interest to planners because it deals with the effects of transportation planning on the reduction of GHG emissions. The House Energy and Commerce Committee released the following summary:

:Section 222, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions through Transportation Efficiency: Amends Title VIII of the Clean Air Act to require states to establish goals for greenhouse gas reductions from the transportation sector and requires the submission of transportation plans to meet those goals by Metropolitan Planning Organizations for areas with populations exceeding 200,000 people. Imposes sanctions on states that fail to submit goals or plans. Authorizes a competitive grant program for development and implementation of plans."

[Katy Schneider]

Close vote, but Climate bill passes in House
Senate to consider bill in July

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES Act, HR 2454) was debated on the House floor several weeks ago. After much negotiation, the bill passed with a vote of 219-212, just before Congress adjourned for the week-long July Fourth recess. Eight Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 44 Democrats opposed, many of whom represent largely rural districts.

Political pressure to support the bill came from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif), and the Obama Administration. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel talked one-on-one with each of the undecided Democrats in an effort to bolster support. There were also attempts to delay voting and sway those who were undecided from Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) who read aloud segments of a 300-page amendment that Democrats released early Friday morning, which included text from Rep. Perlmutter’s (D-Co) GREEN Act (HR 2336).

Friday marked the first time either the House or the Senate has voted on legislation that would cap the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming, leading to many calling this a historic moment and a piece of landmark legislation.

The week-long July 4th recess provided a break before the bill moves into the Senate for discussion and voting. A hearing is already scheduled for July 14 in the Environment and Public Works Committee, which will be the first to consider the bill. Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee hope the Senate will use the House bill as a template, rather than creating a new initiative that would have to be reconciled in conference. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) and Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) have stated that they are already working with moderate Democrats on aspects of the bill.