"U.S. Senate Democrats announced on Monday a new delay on climate change legislation, which could make it more difficult for President Barack Obama to win progress on that front before a global environmental summit in December.
Already facing a tough fight in the Senate and dwindling time before the summit to pass a bill, Democrats said they would not be able to unveil their legislation until "later in September."
Initially, the plan was to introduce a Senate bill to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for global warming by around late July -- a timetable that had already slipped to early September before the latest delay.
Even so, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "fully expects the Senate to have ample time to consider this comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation before the end of the year," spokesman Jim Manley said."
Richard Cowan reports for Reuters August 31, 2009.
See Also:
"U.N. Chief Calls For Urgent Action On Climate Change" (Reuters)
"China Lawmakers Call For Action On Climate Change" (Reuters)
"Himalayan Nations Hold First Climate Talks" (AFP)
"Climate Change Bill Encounters New Senate Delay"
Source: Reuters, 09/01/2009