Climate change bill in trouble

Energy lobbyists count as many as 11 Democrats on the 36-member subcommittee either on the fence or in opposition to the measure. Because Republicans are likely to vote in unanimity or one vote short of it against the measure, most of those wavering Democrats would have to be convinced to support the bill for it to pass.

Three main issues have divided the group: One, how many emissions allowances should industries like electric utilities receive for free, versus how many should be sold at auction? Two, how quickly should polluters be required to reduce their emissions? And three, to what extent should power plants be forced to use renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to produce.

[snip]

Critics say the only immediate consequence would be a sharp increase in energy costs. Utilities now do not have a way to keep the carbon dioxide emitted by coal and natural gas plants from reaching the atmosphere. Although some hold out hope the gas could eventually be siphoned off and stored underground, that technology is still at least a decade away from being economical.

A draft bill released by Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and subcommittee chairman Edward Markey (D-Mass.) left open the allocation question.