Congressional Leader VowsSwift Action on Cap-and-Trade Legislation

A leading U.S. senator and the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have vowed to move quickly to introduce and pass a carbon cap-and-trade bill to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said the legislation would be introduced “in weeks, not months” and would aim to cut CO2 emissions “to levels guided by science to avoid dangerous climate change.” Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of the EPA, vowed the Obama administration would work closely with Congress “in the weeks and months ahead to address this tremendous challenge and opportunity.” Boxer offered few specifics, but said the new legislation must set “certifiable and enforceable” short and long-term emissions targets, establish a market-based system that cuts C02 emissions, use revenues from the carbon market to reimburse consumers for higher energy prices, and offer incentives for developing nations to curb their greenhouse gas emissions. Boxer said she hoped Congress would pass cap-and-trade legislation in advance of climate talks this December in Copenhagen.