House narrowly passes climate change bill

By a vote of 219-to-212, the House of Representatives on June 25 narrowly passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the “cap-and-trade” bill. The bill seeks to create the nation's first mandatory reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to global warming.

When the final tally was complete, 211 Democrats and eight Republicans voted in favor of the measure, introduced by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA). Forty-four Democrats, the majority of whom belong to the conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat coalition, joined 168 Republicans in opposing the bill.

A quick analysis of the vote shows that Sen. John McCain (R. AZ) carried the majority of the districts where Democrats voted against the measure and seven of the eight Republicans who voted in favor of the bill were in districts where President Obama carried the vote.

All eyes now turn to the Senate where Environment and Public Works committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is hoping to mark up similar legislation prior to the August recess. With a 12-7 Democrat majority on the committee, the panel is lopsidedly disposed to passing a climate bill once it comes before the committee. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will be meeting with Boxer and other committee chairmen to discuss strategy shortly after the July 4th recess.

While Reid has called the House-passed version imperfect, he said that it is a good product from which the Senate can start consideration. He added that he will work with the Obama administration to try to pass a bill this fall, a goal repeated by President Obama in a speech last week. Reid’s goal is to have all six committees of jurisdiction on a climate and energy package complete their work by Sept. 18 and then bring the legislation to the floor by October.
In a role similar to that of House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will be working with leadership regarding her concerns about the need for language to assure that certain agricultural activities can be used to offset emission reduction targets. She also will serve as chief negotiator for a broader group of rural and manufacturing-state Democrats.

On the other side of the aisle, several Republicans may in the end support a cap-and-trade bill. Some likely GOP supporters are Sens. Olympia Snowe (Maine), Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). One of the more difficult balances will be for Sens. Murkowski and Mark Begich (D-AK) weighing how global warming is affecting their state with how a cap-and-trade bill impacts Alaska’s oil and gas industry.

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) appreciates the many NSSGA members who contacted their members of the House to express concerns with the cap-and-trade legislation. It presents several serious concerns for members. While, at the same time, it could present opportunities for those industries that are not large greenhouse gas emitters — like the aggregates industry. NSSGA will advise of developments on this legislation.

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