The two Representatives in charge of creating a comprehensive climate change bill, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), have just released the second in a series of white papers that will guide the Energy and Commerce Committee as they begin the process of creating a bill that can satisfy the disparate interests of a diverse group of members.

The second white paper is devoted to the issue of how best to get developing nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring the United States commits to lowering its emissions.  This is important because a substantial number of members in both houses of Congress are adamant that the United States cannot be bound to targets that India, China, Russia, and Brazil are exempt from.  In their view, the legislation will result in a further outsourcing of U.S. economic growth to non-compliant countries and that this outsourcing will end up increasing greenhouse gas emissions since developing countries would remove environmental regulations.

The white paper serves as a primer on the policies the Committee is likely to consider obligations for developing countries.  It also serves to telegraph what Reps. Dingell and Boucher may be thinking as they attempt to tackle this difficult but politically crucial issue.

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.