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Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Leiberman (I-CT) have released their new proposed climate and energy legislation. It's called The American Power Act.
Kerry's website makes some big, feel-good claims:
The American Power Act will transform our economy, set us on the path toward energy independence and improve the quality of the air we breathe. It will create millions of good jobs that cannot be shipped abroad and it will launch America into a position of leadership in the global clean energy economy.
Journalist and climate commentator Andy Revkin sounds less excited:
From summaries circulated overnight, the package — as expected — is a classic piece of American legislative compromise, with multi-billion-dollar incentives and investments and favors aimed at enthusing states rich in coal and agribusiness.
Kerry admits that the bill isn't perfect, but he thinks it can pass:
A comprehensive climate bill written purely for you and me -- true believers -- can't pass the Senate no matter how hard or passionately I fight on it. No, it's got to be an effort that makes my colleagues -- and that has to include Republicans so we can get to 60 -- comfortable about the jobs we're going to create and the protection for consumers and the national security benefits -- and it has to address those pieces on their terms. The good news: I think we got that balance right.
Hopefully the former co-author of the bill, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), will offer his opinion of the legislation soon.
