Obama Mounts Push for 'Hybrid' Climate and Energy Bill

"The White House is mounting a last-ditch effort to piece together an energy and climate change bill that has enough incentives for nuclear power, natural gas and the coal industry to muster the votes needed to pass it this year.

As Democrats enter a turbulent and high-stakes political season, President Obama is striving for consensus on a path forward that can deliver substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions and satisfy concerns in the Senate about energy security. In an address to the nation's top CEOs at a Business Roundtable meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Obama is expected to discuss his energy plans and, according to sources, roll out a proposal meant to incentivize coal-burning power plants to switch to cleaner-burning natural gas.

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, said the ongoing efforts are aimed at a bill that is a 'hybrid of ideas' that would attract enough votes from fence-sitting Democrats whose states are heavily reliant on coal and from Republican ranks to secure passage through the Senate."

Joel Kirkland reports for ClimateWire February 22, 2010.

See Also:

"Key Senator Sees No Quick Move On Climate Bill" (Reuters)