"Environmentalists Attack House Global Warming Deal"

"With the greenest lawmakers in charge and the President cheering them on, the prospects of sweeping controls on greenhouse gases seemed rosy. After a month of fighting among themselves, however, House Democrats announced an agreement Thursday that reflects more about the legislative process than the need to stop the planet from heating up.

The announcement indicates that sponsors have enough Democratic votes to push a bill past its first legislative hurdle, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as early as next week. But the patchwork of concessions necessary to win over champions of industrial and regional interests weakened the initiative, leaving it far short of the global warming gas reductions that scientists insist are necessary to stave off catastrophic climate change."

Michael Weisskopf reports for TIME magazine May. 16, 2009.

The bill, released late last week, faces markup this week in the House Energy Committee.

See Also:

House Bill Structure Takes Shape (Environment News Service)

Democrat Brags Big Oil Supports Bill (Raw Story)

A Dozen Wavering Dems Key to Bill's Fate (UK Guardian)

Chamber of Commerce Slams Bill (Greenwire/NYTimes)

GOP Rep. May Vote Yes (Greenwire/NYTimes)

Industry Is Warming (Los Angeles Times)

"Climate Bill Seeks a Broad Coalition" (Washington Post)

Bill Gives Oil Refiners Free Permits (Reuters)

Text of Bill (House Energy Committee)