By a vote of 11-8, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this evening reported to the full Senate the Lieberman/Warner climate change bill (S. 2191), with Sen. John Warner (R-VA) joining all committee Democrats and Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in voting for the bill.

Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) characterized the bill as a strong first step toward reducing carbon emissions while creating new economic opportunities in energy technology. Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK) and other Republican Committee members expressed concern about the economic impacts of the bill and contended that the Committee should not have acted on the bill until the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration had conducted an economic assessment of the legislation.

During the markup, the Committee considered, in lieu of the original text of S. 2191, a substitute amendment that Chairman Boxer proposed. Among the few changes to the original legislation, the Boxer substitute shifts from 2031 to 2036 the timeline for phase-out of the free allocation of emissions credits provided under the bill; increases the percentage of auctioned credits; establishes a new limit on hydrofluourocarbon emissions; and institutes an 80 percent cap on emissions from natural gas distributors. The substitute also directs EPA to report to Congress by 2013 on whether tighter emissions limits are needed for mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced but withdrew an amendment to require mandatory caps on such emissions, but said he would re-visit the issue when the full Senate considers the bill.

Amendments considered during the mark-up are summarized after the break.

AMENDMENTS PASSED

Sens. Sanders/Carper amendment to support investment in manufacturing of renewable energy technologies in the U.S.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) amendment to increase emissions permit set-asides for utilities that “de-couple” profits from production from 1 percent to 2 percent.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) amendment to provide EPA with adequate funding to carry out emissions reduction goals.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) amendment for a National Academy of Science (NAS) study on use of “homegrown” renewable energy technologies.

Sen. Lautenberg amendment to mandate a NAS study to determine best practices for reducing airline emissions.

Sen. Sanders amendment to add technologies eligible under the Advanced Vehicle Technology Program.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) amendment to allow states greater freedom in the use of emissions credits to defer mitigation costs.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) amendment to conduct a climate change impact study for coastal areas.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) amendment to establish a low-carbon fuel standard.

AMENDMENTS DEFEATED

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) amendment to set 10-year sunset clause for S. 2191 if China and India do not act to reduce emissions.

Sen. Inhofe amendment to require a report to Congress on job losses in the automobile sector caused by the bill.

Sen. Kit Bond (R-MT) amendment to require the Carbon Market Efficiency Board to report weekly on economic costs of bill.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) bill to create new title to support domestic development of nuclear technology.

Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) amendment to restrict implementation of emissions reduction until carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology is available.

Sen. Inhofe amendment to mandate a schedule for the creation of new nuclear power sources through 2030.

Sen. Voinovich amendment to require Carbon Market Efficiency Board to adjust emissions reduction programs if energy costs rise by 15 percent.

Sen. Voinovich amendment to repeal bill provisions in the event of a WTO dispute relating to emissions reduction programs.

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) amendment to open the Outer-Continental Shelf of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia to natural gas exploration if natural gas prices rise above $30.

Sen. Sanders amendment to require all utilities to capture 85 percent of carbon emissions in order to be eligible for federal subsidies.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)/Sanders amendment to require full auction of all carbon emissions allowances.

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