John Kerry announced plans for a “dual track” to revise the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733) along with Senator’s Lindsay Graham and Joseph Lieberman. This announcement comes after Senate Republicans in the Environment and Public Works Committee walked out of Committee hearings that were to begin on Tuesday. Senator Kerry indicated that they will work with business groups and the White House to develop a compromise on the climate legislation. According to Senator Kerry, the Senate Committee is expected to continue its work on the bill and the revisions developed by the two “tracks” would be merged into a single bill.
More information on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act can be found at Senator Kerry’s website. This legislation was introduced September 30, 2009. Another hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is scheduled for November 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM. This legislation mandates a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 and includes measures to allow for greenhouse gas emissions trading.