US Senate defeats amendment mandating cuts in greenhouse gasses

US Senate defeats amendment mandating cuts in greenhouse gasses

Washington (Platts)--22Jun2005


The Senate Wednesday rejected by a vote of 60-38 a proposed amendment to
energy legislation that would have mandated a reduction in US greenhouse gas
emissions to 2000 levels by 2010. The amendment was offered by senators John
McCain (Republican-Arizona) and Joe Lieberman (Democrat-Connecticut). 

The Senate's rejection came a day after it approved an amendment offered by
Sen. Chuck Hagel (Republican-Nebraska) that would provide incentives for the
development and deployment of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
but does not require mandatory reductions. The Bush Administration supports
development of emission reduction technologies and is adamantly opposed to
mandated reductions, and the Senate's votes for the Hagel amendment and
against McCain-Lieberman mirrors the Administration's position. Senators
opposing McCain-Lieberman argued that the science regarding man-made
contributions to global warming is inconclusive.

Opponents of McCain-Lieberman also contend that given the scientific
uncertainty, it is premature to enact mandatory limits on greenhouse gas
emissions because it would damage a US economy very dependent on fossil fuel
consumption. McCain, Lieberman and their supporters contend that climate
change is real and the science argues strongly for immediate action to reduce
emissions. Any proposal that does not require a reduction in emissions is a
"phony," Lieberman told the Senate. While reducing emissions would have an
impact on the US economy, supporters of McCain-Lieberman say the cost can be
mitigated and believe the economic cost of doing nothing or delaying efforts
to reduce emissions would be much greater.

This story was originally published in Platts Global Alert
http://www.globalalert.platts.com

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