Sens. Kerry and Lieberman Intro Energy and Climate Bill

Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., surrounded by a plethora of business, environmental, and activists, introduced the American Power Act Wednesday, their bill to overhaul America's energy pricing system. They say all of these groups are at the table because they would rather negotiate with the legislature than be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The bill establishes a "hard price collar" on carbon emissions credits that polluters would have to purchase in order to operate.  It also invests heavily in clean coal, nuclear, and renewable energy technologies.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) received outpourings of praise for his work on the bill from the senators and business leaders. This despite the fact that he has walked away from the legislation due to a dispute over the Senate’s plan to take up an immigration bill before addressing energy legislation.

No one mentioned a possible Republican replacement (as they will need at least one person to cross the aisle to get to 60 votes) for him.