I think I see the game that is being set up here. I mean, like John Kerry, I can do the math. But, on the other hand, any plan that relies in good part on the good faith of Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman isn’t something I’m going to invest in. I’d like to believe that they are serious and can be effective, but I just can’t bring myself to believe it.
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BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
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This is doomed. Republicans and Oil companies will want more (like the West Coast open to drilling), as will the coal industry states no matter who represents them, Dem or Republican. Any bill they pass will be next to worthless. I’m more inclined to go the state route on this one: setting higher state emission standards and suing states whose outdated coal fired plants spread pollution to your air.
I’d also rather go with a bill that expands federal investment in alternative energy whether through subsidies, tax breaks, no interest loans etc. than waste time on bill that will likely end up pre-empting lowering the California standards and not providing enough incentives to develop alternative energy.
At the very least, it positions the issue for the November election in a bunch of coastal Congressional District.
My own sense is that cap-and-trade is dead and that EPA regulations, tax incentives for alternative energy investments, and direct funding to drive alternative energy production. But it’s not going to happen before the election. I don’t see the votes in the House or Senate.
agree
best to stick to financial regulation. I see this almost as a bone tossed to Kerry who would really like to see some climate change bill, any bill get passed.
But of wishes were fishes …