Earth Equity News

Reid Plans Climate Change Legislation by End of Summer. By H. Josef Hebert, AP, February 21, 2009. "Saying it's time to 'take a whack' at climate change, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he plans to push for Senate action on global warming by the end of summer. The Nevada Democrat... said the Senate will take up energy legislation in a couple of weeks 'and then later this year, hopefully late this summer do the global warming part of it'... Reid said the energy legislation expected to be taken up in the coming weeks will be limited largely to promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency -- priorities of the Obama White House... Reid said he favors a 20 percent renewable standard for utilities, but added, 'We'll get by with what we can.' Many states already have requirements for utilities to use renewable energy, but attempts in Congress to establish a national mandate have fallen short repeatedly because of regional divisions. Lawmakers from the Southeast particularly have argued that utilities in their area would be hard pressed to meet a federal standard because they lack wind or solar energy resources. Reid said he also favors some additional tax incentives aimed at spurring energy efficiency, especially for construction of more energy efficient buildings... Today (Monday), Reid will participate in a 'clean energy' forum being convened by the Center for American Progress. Others participating will include former President Bill Clinton, possibly former Vice President Al Gore, and senior Obama administration officials... Reid said he favors a 20% renewable standard for utilities... he also favors some additional tax incentives aimed at spurring energy efficiency, especially for construction of more energy efficient buildings."