Dingell and Boucher Release Cap and Trade Legislation

Today, U.S. Rep. John Dingell, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (D-MI) and U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality released a much anticipated 461 page discussion draft of their climate change legislation. From their statement to the members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

Politically, scientifically, legally, and morally, the question has been settled: regulation of greenhouse gasses in the United States in coming. We believe that elected and accountable representatives in the Congress, not the Executive Branch, should properly design that regulatory program. The only remaining question is what form that regulation will take.

Indeed, as we learned from the debate on Boxer-Lieberman-Warner in the Senate, the remaining question – what form the regulation will take – is the hardest one to answer. The Dingell-Boucher proposal is a welcome addition to the conversation that will occur in Congress next year.

With the economy in a recession, the political feasibility of passing climate legislation appears tougher now than just a few months ago. Maybe in a forum with presidential candidates, someone can ask a question about it. I believe there’s one coming up sometime soon….