Better Energy Choices: Climate And Energy Package Expected This Year

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) recently stated he will bundle energy and global warming measures together into one bill for consideration later this year.

Sen. Reid plans to wrap a cap-and-trade bill together with separate bills establishing a nationwide renewable electricity standard and promotion of a modernized grid to improve energy efficiency and management.

Comprehensive climate and energy legislation in 2009 with a cap on carbon pollution will improve our economy, our security and our planet’s future.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) endorsed the strategy. "I would like to see one bill, which is the energy bill with the cap and trade and the grid piece…They're the three elements that we have to pass more fully. I'd like to see it as one bill."

Democratic leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee plan to collect comments this month on a draft energy and global warming bill as they take aim at their goal of marking up legislation by Memorial Day.