June 29
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a global warming bill.
The Senate has yet to vote on the legislation, which will then require a conference committee to resolve differences between the two bills.
Following the June 26 House action, Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said: "Today we have taken decisive and historic action to promote Americaīs energy security and to create millions of clean energy jobs that will drive our economic recovery and long-term growth." Waxman is also the billīs sponsor.
The bill would require electric utilities to meet 20% of their electricity demand through renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by 2020. It also calls for the government to invest $190 billion in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including carbon capture and sequestration. In addition, buildings, appliances and industry would have to meet new energy saving standards.
The plan calls for reducing carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.
President Obama has expressed his support for climate legislation.
Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com
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