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N.M. Senators Spar: Both Out To Kill Competing
Emissions Plans
Jun 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Michael Coleman Albuquerque Journal, N.M. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici each led charges to defeat the other's plan for curbing greenhouse gas emissions Thursday, and now both proposals might die. "Frankly, I'd be satisfied if we had neither in," Domenici told the Journal, referring to the competing plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. "Don't put Bingaman's in or mine in. We have a great bill (without the amendments)." Environmental advocates contend that greenhouse gas emissions, such as those generated by coal-fired power plants, are contributing to global climate change and should be reduced. Bingaman, the New Mexico Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is pushing an amendment that would require utilities to generate at least 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, by 2020. Domenici, the New Mexico Republican who is the energy committee's ranking minority member, had offered a substitute amendment that would force utilities generating power to meet a 20 percent mandate for use of "clean fuels," including nuclear and hydro power, as well as renewables like wind and solar. Domenici's plan would allow states to opt out of the mandate, while Bingaman's would not. Domenici's proposal was shelved on a 56-39 vote Thursday. Domenici, at the urging of Southern senators whose states generate little wind and thus have little capacity for wind energy, then refused to allow an up-or-down vote on Bingaman's amendment. Domenici and the Republicans insisted that Bingaman get "cloture," or 60 votes, needed to end debate and force a vote on the amendment itself. A stream of Southern senators complained Thursday that Bingaman's measure puts too much emphasis on wind energy and that their states would have to buy credits to meet the proposed mandate because they don't have a lot of wind. Bingaman argued that they could produce clean power through other methods, such as biomass, which typically involves burning or distilling crops or other materials to create energy. Bingaman, who admitted frustration with the GOP tactic, said he was four votes short and was unsure whether he could get them. "We don't have them readily available or we'd proceed," Bingaman told the Journal. "It's frustrating to know we've got 56 votes for what I think is a very good amendment and we still can't get it enacted." Domenici said Bingaman's renewable energy amendment is a "shadow over the bill" that could lead to its rejection on the floor, or a presidential veto. "We worked very well together and had a great partisan bill that was rocking along in great shape and then along comes this amendment and throws a big rock in the puddle, and the ripples are pretty big," Domenici said. Domenici said his own preference for additional nuclear power incentives was not the driving force in the move to prevent an up-or-down vote on Bingaman's bill. "It's part of it, but only part of it," Domenici said. Neither senator expressed optimism that the two could compromise on a new amendment to curb greenhouse gas emissions, perhaps including elements of both plans. "It's difficult, I think, particularly on his side," Bingaman said. "He has members on the Republican side who are not interested in anything being enacted on this subject." Domenici said the Democrats are unyeilding. "My staff worked a long time to get that done, and its hard to do that with Bingaman's staff taking the positions they are taking," Domenici said, before casting doubt on whether Bingaman can find the four votes needed to pass his amendment. "Some of them might really feel it's so powerful it can win against all odds, I'm not quite sure of that," Domenici said. The Senate is expected to continue debating energy on the floor all next week. |