Climate bill faces tough turn through Congress
The Washington Post has a story today about the climate bill that is winding through the Senate right now. And the chances of passage are not looking so good because Democrats are split and Republicans are largely opposing the measure.
The the House version that has already passed, this bill is likely to include a cap and trade provision that allows a certain amount of carbon dioxide and those who do not or can't comply with limits can buy credits from those who are complying.
The Dems have even thrown in an incentive to get Republican support: expedited approval of new nuclear power plants. That, the Post says, may not be enough.
Meanwhile, the New York Times had a story Sunday about how new technology to cut emission may be best suited not for coal plants, often seen as the main offender, but for other kinds of plants. At coal plants, the story says, the carbon dioxide is mixed with other pollution and it's tough to separate them.
Engineers and policymakers say it may be easier to capture the carbon dioxide at oil refineries, chemical plants, cement factories and ethanol plants because their emissions are purer.
Baltimore Sun file photo of Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant in Southern Maryland
Comments
I have a question. What are we going to use for energy while we develop altenative fuels to power America? the alternatives will not be on line in quantity for years. And, the only way to really cut CO2 is to stop burning coal for fuel and reducing the number of trucks and automobiles. Since we can't do either, I see no way for us to meet ambitious Cap and Trade proposals and the provisions of the Climate Treaty.
Posted by: Fedupwithcongress | November 2, 2009 4:03 PM
Cap and trade and nuclear power plants?
I am so fed up with partisan politics from both parties while our future fritters away that I could scream.
Each issue should stand or fall on its own merit. When will Congress get the picture: we are tired of their games - get to work - for which we all too richly overpay you.
Posted by: pete sandfort | November 2, 2009 6:56 PM
B'more Green readers please support a project aimed at creating more sustainable jobs for coal miners and reducing negative environmental impacts in Appalachia. Go to Brighterplanet.com and vote for Community Biopower Association: Institutional Empowerment in the Coalfields of Appalachia. You can vote up to 3 times for this project. Right now, this project is in 2nd place and is 200 votes behind the first place project. Voting ends on November 15th. If you have not voted before, you have to create a log in. The log in is easy and the site promises not to use your email for any purposes other than verification.
Posted by: Baltidome | November 11, 2009 12:01 PM