Obama commits to 2011 climate bill

President Barack Obama is pledging to throw his full weight next year behind efforts to overhaul the nation’s energy and climate change policies, though he concedes such moves might need to happen “in chunks.”

In an interview published Tuesday by Rolling Stone magazine, Obama lamented how the economic crisis contributed to this year’s Senate stalemate over a comprehensive bill to cap carbon dioxide emissions and establish renewable power standards.

But for the first time, Obama publicly committed to trying again next year.

“One of my top priorities next year is to have an energy policy that begins to address all facets of our overreliance on fossil fuels,” Obama said. “We may end up having to do it in chunks, as opposed to some sort of comprehensive omnibus legislation. But we’re going to stay on this because it is good for our economy, it’s good for our national security and, ultimately, it’s good for our environment.”

Obama didn’t elaborate on specific pieces he’d like to see move in the next version of energy and climate legislation, but ideas floating around on Capitol Hill include a nationwide standard for renewables and a limit just on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Much of Obama’s success on the climate issue hinges on who controls Congress. House and Senate Democratic leaders say they would try again with a big push akin to the last two years, while some key Republicans are promising to hold hearings, if they are in charge, that investigate global warming science and Obama’s climate policies.

Obama has faced criticism from many energy experts and environmentalists for not putting enough emphasis on his green agenda. Some greens are even looking for alternative candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2012.

In a nod to his base, Obama replied in the affirmative when asked by Rolling Stone if he would throw his weight behind climate legislation in the same way he managed to sign into law both health care and Wall Street regulatory reforms.

“Yes. Not only can I foresee it, but I am committed to making sure that we get an energy policy that makes sense for the country and that helps us grow at the same time as it deals with climate change in a serious way,” Obama said. “I am just as committed to getting immigration reform done.”
Obama emphasized that he hasn’t gotten credit for all of the work his administration has done on climate issues, including new national standards to curb greenhouse gases from automobiles. But he also acknowledged there’s work to be done.

“I’ve been here two years, guys,” Obama said. “And one of the things that I just try to remember is that if we have accomplished 70 percent of what we committed to in the campaign, historic legislation, and we’ve got 30 percent of it undone — well, that’s what the next two years is for, or maybe the next six.”
“Understandably, everybody has a great sense of urgency about these issues,” Obama added. “But one of the things that I constantly want to counsel my friends is to keep the long view in mind. On social issues, something like ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Here, I’ve got the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff both committed to changing the policy. That’s a big deal.”
Tony Kreindler, a spokesman at the Environmental Defense Fund, didn’t dismiss the idea of moving on the issue “in chunks.”

“Our objective remains achieving the pollution reduction goals called for by recent legislative proposals,” he said. “Whether that happens bit by bit, sector by sector or in a more comprehensive way, we will engage in and support all meaningful efforts to get there.”

Obama’s ideas are sure to be met with mixed reviews among Senate Republicans, one of the key voting blocs he’ll need to get anything accomplished.

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee ranking member Jim Inhofe signaled Tuesday that he’s not giving up on the fight to block carbon caps, even if just on power plants.

“I welcome the debate next year over President Obama’s vision for energy policy, which, despite having been decisively rejected this year, still consists of higher taxes, higher energy prices and more bureaucracy,” the Oklahoma Republican said. “Contrast that with the Republican vision, which will provide consumers with more affordable energy and greater energy security for America.”

Yet Obama may find some wiggle room to work with others, including Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who predicted gains on energy legislation if Republicans narrow the Democrats’ majority in November.

Speaking last week at a panel hosted by The Washington Post, Alexander said he’d be open to a pared back form of climate legislation that he has supported in past years. “Maybe we just put a lid on carbon from smokestacks, tie it to production of nuclear and treat it like lead,” Alexander said.

Politico