The debate continues, with California’s recent legislative work at issue.
Stormy start to debate on climate bill
By David Whitney - Bee Washington Bureau
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, June 8, 2007
The debate over legislation to curb global warming opened Thursday in the House, where one of the biggest battles will be whether to sacrifice California's landmark law to institute a national standard.
The opening salvos came at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's energy and air quality panel, which released last week a draft bill that is heavy on development of new fuels but weak on reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, which most scientists believe are the leading cause of global warming.
The most controversial feature of the draft measure is the pre-emption of California's tough new law to lower emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
California, supported by 11 other states with similar laws, has pleaded with the federal Environmental Protection Agency for a Clean Air Act waiver so that it can implement the new law.
The draft legislation would kill the California law, replacing it with a national standard.
