Key Senate panel approves climate bill; Republicans boycott (Roundup)

Nov 5, 2009, 17:48 GMT

Washington - A key Senate committee approved a landmark climate bill Thursday that would force US companies to curb greenhouse-gas emissions blamed for global warming.

But the 11-1 vote in the Senate Environment Committee was boycotted by opposition Republicans on the panel, who complained that the bill had yet to be properly analyzed for its economic costs.

The legislation aims to reduce emissions 20 per cent by 2020 by introducing a cap-and-trade system that for the first time makes US companies pay a price for their pollution. Republican opponents argue it will impose too heavy a burden on the economy.

The controversial legislation now moves to the full Senate, where it still faces heavy resistance and could be changed significantly. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill earlier this year.

But the bill is unlikely to be fully approved before governments meet for a crucial UN summit from December 7-18 in Copenhagen, when negotiators hope to thrash out a new global climate treaty.

The US is facing major pressure from foreign governments to help reduce global warming. But the lack of domestic legislation could severely tie the hands of President Barack Obama's administration, which is loathe to agree to a far-reaching global treaty without congressional support.

The US debate has caused some members of both political parties to switch sides. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is leading an effort to craft a bipartisan compromise together with Democratic Senator John Kerry and Senator Joe Lieberman, an independent.

'Todays step in the process sends a clear message to the world that the United States is serious about tackling climate change and securing our clean energy future,' Kerry said in a statement.

But some Democrats, especially from states with coal plants and manufacturing sectors and coal plants, have opposed the legislation, fearing its impact on their region. Senator Max Baucus of Montana was the lone Democrat to oppose the Environment Committee's bill.