Highlight of the Week: Obama to Address CEOs as Push for Climate Bill Mounts

President Obama is scheduled to address major U.S. CEOs this week and discuss energy and climate plans for the coming year, with special focus on a "hybrid" climate bill capable of winning broad support in the Senate.

Among the business leaders expected to attend are the heads of Exxon Mobil Corp., American Electric Power, General Electric Co., Wal-Mart, and Honeywell International.

The business world is seen as key to any sustained push toward a clean energy economy, and many corporate leaders have already signed on: CEOs from leading U.S. businesses sent President Obama and members of Congress a letter (PDF) last month calling for comprehensive climate and energy legislation, saying they don't want the American economy to fall behind.

White House officials have confirmed in recent months that the president still wants a plan similar to the House-passed American Clean Energy and Security Act, which set reduction targets for carbon pollution and laid out incentives to jump-start the clean energy economy. Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) are currently working on a comparable bill with an eye toward floor debate in the spring.

Published: February 23, 2010