Some of the Major Points in the Climate Bill
The Clean Energy Bill pushed by the Obama administration narrowly squeeked through the US House of Representatives. Next up is a fight in the Senate. Here are some of the major provisions within the bill:
A goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2020 and 85% by 2050. It would introduce a cap and trade program where pollution permits could be traded. It would also allow companies that cannot meet the targets to offset the deficit by investing in other environmentally friendly projects such as tree planting or land protection.
The Clean Energy Bill would require utilities to produce 12% of their power from renewable resources such as wind or solar.
It would mandate that new buildings be 30% more energy efficient by 2012 and 50% more efiicient by 2016.
The fight was tough in the House of Representatives.....just wait for the coming Senate battle! The Democrats estimate the Climate Bill would cost about $100 per US household per year while Republicans throw a $150 figure. Personally, I would not have a problem contributing either figure to help the environment, slow pollution and make the US a more energy efficient society.
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