U.S. Lawmakers Begin Hearings On Major Climate Legislation

A key House committee was set to begin hearings on a climate bill that Democratic leaders hope will limit greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 60 witnesses were expected to testify over four days before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a bill introduced by Chairman Henry Waxman, (D-Calif.), and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, (D-Mass.), that would cut carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, establish a carbon cap-and-trade system, and boost U.S. renewable energy sources. Witnesses will include representatives from the business, energy and environmental communities, as well as key members of the Obama administration, including EPA chief Lisa Jackson, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The hearings will shape the legislation that Democrats hope will pass the House by the end of summer. Also this week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is holding a hearing on international climate change negotiations, with State Department climate envoy Todd Stern set to testify.