House Passes Cap and Trade

In late June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey climate bill. The bill is the first full-fledged climate and energy bill to be passed in either house of Congress and would set up a cap-and-trade program for all major emitters of CO2. The bill was lauded by many as a significant step in curbing carbon emissions but also panned by some environmental groups including Greenpeace for giving away too many carbon permits to big CO2 emitters. Despite passage of a climate bill in the House, the Senate has moved much slower on climate legislation, partly because it was bogged down by the health care debate. (Photo: AmandaWalker via flickr/Creative Commons)