Both Sides Seeking Action on Climate Change in Lame Duck Session of Congress

'Originally published in Jones Day's The Climate Report, Fall 2010.'

Senators from both sides of the climate change debate are seeking to put the issue on the agenda for the "lame duck" session of Congress following the November 2, 2010 congressional midterm elections. However, given the gridlock that has stalled previous initiatives, the odds are long that much, if anything, will be achieved before the 111th Congress ends on January 3, 2011.

On one side are senators seeking to pass incremental energy legislation on issues far less controversial than emissions caps. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is seeking votes on bills to (i) establish a national renewable electricity standard, requiring utilities to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2021; (ii) set energy efficiency standards for more than a dozen consumer appliances, such as furnaces and dishwashers; and (iii) extend or expand a range of clean energy tax incentives. Senator